Indian Social Customs as Noticed by Foreign Writers Up to 750 A.D.

Contents : Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Caste system. 3. Marriage and other rites. 4. Dress and costume. 5. Food and drink. 6. Administration. 7. Law and justice. Appendices: the custom of Sati : a study of classical Indian accounts. Bibliography. Index.

"The book entitled "Indian Social Customs as noticed by Foreign Writers" upto 750 AD" is a research treatise which is an attempt to throw light on the prevalent customs in ancient India observed by foreign writers. It is very interesting to note that every intricate social customs were not overlooked by them even to the extent of introduction of the art of writing to the worshipping of trees. All those customs were arrested in their eyes. The author tries to explain their observation in the light of the prescriptions laid down in Indian literature. Some times it is perceived that the observations made by the foreign writers’ did not tally with the prescription of Indian literature since the customs were observed by such men who were not supposed to scrutinize those through Indian way of life. But the presentations of their observations through their eyes certainly evoke some amount of curiosity. The author has attempted to provide answers to the curiosities made by way of observation of foreign writers’ upto 750 AD." (jacket)