Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Sikkim v.6 c.2

This study of the castes and tribes of Northern India (excluding Uttar Pradesh which has been dealt with in volume five) forms volume six of the Caste and Tribes of India series. Northern India was the cradle of the Aryan civilization which flourished centuries ago (2000 B.C. to 1400 B.C.). The Aryans were a sturdy race, full of vigour and love for life and activity. At the same time they were of a religious and devo tional temperament, offering the holy Soma juice to the sacrificial fire and invoking gods for wealth, prosperity and welfare. Consequently the tribes which are found in this region have a vitality and bon natural which is remarkable. This is the home of the warlike Rajputs and the laborious Gujars, the mythi cal Kinnaras who according to traditional belief served as heavenly musicians in the court of god Indra, and as attendants of Kubera's paradise, the colourful Gaddis the tall and stalwart Swanglas who have a Monogoloid touch in their mein, the story-tellers bards and musicians of Punjab, and the Lap-chas of Sikkim with their rich folklore and engrossing religious beliefs. All these, and many others, have been included in this study of the tribes of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and the adjacent regions. The book describes the origin, history, social customs, religion and folklore of these tribes, bringing out their fascinating and individual peculiarities in the same clear and engaging style which characterises the author's other volumes in this series. This volume which contains a mine of information in the smallest possible compass will be of interest both to the general reader and to the scholar and to all those who desire to know more about India and its peoples.