Contents: Vol. I. Part I. The mango in Indian life and culture: Preface. 1. The mango - the national fruit of India. 2. Mango in Indian culture. 3. Myths about the origin of the mango. 4. Spread of the mango. 5. Mango in history. 6. Mango's place in Jainism. 7. Mango's place in Buddhism : Appendix: 1. Story of Amrapali. 2. Mango in Jataka stories. 3. Some Jataka stories. 8. Mango in Sanskrit literature. 9. Mango in folktales and literature. 10. Mango in rituals and magic. 11. Mango tree in human marriage. 12. Mango festivals. 13. Mango in riddles and proverbs. 14. Nutritional value of the mango. 15. Mango in medicine. Appendices.

Vol. II. Part II. Cultivation of mango in India: 16. Origin and distribution of Mangifera. 17. Evolution of the mango. 18. Botany of the mango. 19. Mango cultivation: Appendix: History of Malda mangoes. 20. Some choice varieties: Appendix: Mango varieties of India. 21. Fresh mango exports to Europe. 22. Conclusion. Bibliography. Mango - random selection of newspaper headlines from 1965 to 1981.

"The Mango in Indian Life and Culture is the first ethno-botanical study of this miraculous fruit which is relished all over the world. Ancient Indian sages prescribed planting of the mango for the salvation of the souls, 14 generations past and future, so that it is cultivated extensively for providing ready nutrition, medicine, fuel, shade and pollution control. The mango plays an important role in Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism and Animism of the tribal people of India. Though the mango trick is no longer practised by migicians in India, it cannot be denied that mango groves changed the history of India thrice in B.C. 327 and A.D. 1522 and 1757. Here is an encyclopaedic work on mango." (jacket)