Contents: Introduction. 1. The Bhils demographic and anthropometric description. 2. Origin myth and historical background. 3. The economic profile of the Bhils. 4. Social and cultural life. 5. The Bhil religion. 6. Birth rites. 7. Marriage. 8. Death rites. Conclusion. Bibliography. Index.

"This book envisages a holistic study of the Bhils, a major tribe, inhabiting in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. The Bhils are supposed to be inhabiting this part of the country from ancient time and their interaction with Rajputs in medieval time is well known.

The Bhils of Madhya Pradesh have little contact with outside population and as such they have preserved their culture and tradition over the centuries. In this work detailed account of the cultural history of the Bhils have been recorded on the basis of actual fieldwork done by the author.

Here an attempt has been made to understand the life-cycle of the Bhils through their economic activities, material way of life, social organisation, world view and religion in their very natural environment. This book also gives some idea about the impact of the nature in shaping the culture of the Bhils." (jacket)