Ancient Communities of the Himalaya/Dinesh Prasad Saklani. 1998, 196 p., photos, $24. ISBN 81-7387-090-X.
Contents: Preface. I. Socio Cultural Geography: 1. Geographical background. 2. Climate. 3. Drainage. 4. Linguistic characteristics. 5. Inhabitants and their settlements. II. Historical Background: 1. Literary sources. 2. Archaeological sources. III. Distribution of Ancient Communities in the Himalaya: 1. Bhotiyas. 2. Darads. 3. Katyuris. 4. Khasas. 5. Kinnars. 6. Kiratas. 7. Kols. 8. Kunets. 9. Kunindas. 10. Nagas. 11. Rajya-Kiratas. 12. Sakas. 13. Sulikas. 14. Tangans and partangans. 15. Vidyadharas. 16. Yaudheyas. IV. Socio-Economic and Political Aspects: 1. Social aspects. 2. Economic aspects. 3. Political aspects. V. Religious and Cultural Life: 1. Religious life. 2. Art, architecture, sculpture, numismatics etc. Conclusion. Bibliography. Index.
From the Preface: "In the present study an attempt has been made to study the life and culture of various communities, which in ancient times inhabited the Himalayan region of Kumaon, Garhwal and Himachal Pradesh. A discussion on the origin of different communities, their status in the Himalaya, whether they had been aboriginals or immigrants to this region, has also been initiated alongwith details of their history, culture and several other aspects of life of these communities from the earliest times to c. 1000 A.D. The study has been aimed at knowing in depth, the existence, history and culture of various human groups who had made their settlements in the Himalayan region of Kumaon, Garhwal and Himachal Pradesh in the ancient times. No study has been done prior to this, which could give an account of the ethnic settlements in the Himalayan region. Therefore, the present study is a pioneering attmept to tell about the ancient ethnography of the area."
[Dinesh Prasad Saklani is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, H.N. Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, U.P. His books include Ancient and Medieval Cities Sites of India.]
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