Contents: Introduction. 1. Origin of Brahmins from legends. 2. Types of Brahmins. 3. Position of Brahmin women in Indian society. 4. Eminent Brahmin women in modern India. 5. Problems of Brahmin women. 6. Brahmin widows: the tales of tragedy. 7. Problems of working women. 8. Problems of dowry in Brahmin society. 9. Literacy and functional literacy. 10. Literate Brahmin women with professional background. 11. Literate Brahmin women without professional background. 12. Illiterate Brahmin women. 13. Path for Brahmin widows. 14. Brahmin women and kitchen gardens. 15. Brahmin women in urban India. 16. Brahmin women in rural India. 17. Brahmin women in industrial society. 18. Brahmin women in agricultural society. 19. Brahmin women in politics. 20. Brahmin women and global change. Conclusion. Bibliography.

"Brahmins are considered as a caste of highest order in accordance to Hindu Chaturbarna system. Though it is normally believed that the Brahmin is a single community, it is not actually so. Besides geographical and linguistic divisions this community is divided and sub-divided into a number of fractions. This aspect is discussed in the book besides mythological stories connected with the origin of this supreme caste. Though considered as supreme caste, the women of this group suffers the most particularly after implementation of Manu Smriti. At the same time social and economic changes had various impact on them more so on women. There was both positive as well as negative impact. The book discusses all these aspects in details considering backgrounds in all respect and suggests suitable action plan with the thought that planners may think appropriate to help the women of Brahmin community to come up." (jacket)