Social Life in Mediaeval Rajasthan

The theme of social life in Rajasthan forms one of the most in teresting studies in the history of medieval period. But as no connected account of the cultural institutions of the medieval period of Rajasthan available, this study has been both pioneer and fscinating. The aim of this work is to survey the general course of society and culture of Rajasthan from 1500 to 1800 A.D., and furnish here, for the first time, a balanced account with sympathy and understanding. It seeks to offer a critical examination of the factors and forces that have moulded in stitutions, beliefs, rites, customs and patterns of life in the broad frame of the march of history. It also endeavours to trace the impact of Mughal civilisation on Rajasthan in order to appreciate the process of the cul tural development.

In the following pages it has been attempted to collect all pos sible data available towards the reconstruction of the social and cul tural history from the epigraphic, numismatic, literary and historical sources in Persian, Sanskrit and Rajasthäni. Similarly, the khyātas, vāts, rāsos, vaṁsāvalis and other prose chronicles have been sifted properly and made to yield profitable historical material. The work brings, for the first time, the representation of sculpture and painting for purposes of historical interpretation and illustration of social life.

**Contents and Sample Pages**