This encyclopedic volume is a thorough examination of the history of religion in ancient India, detailing each of the gods and goddesses, his or her origins, and how the gods continue to be worshipped today. The history of religion is directly tied to the history of the past one thousand years. World history is an important part of the history curriculum, making this volume a valuable teaching tool, as well as an entertaining read. Vibrant images make it a visual experience.

Dr. Agrawala S Present Work Largely Represents His Ph.D. Thesis (Approved By The Banaras Hindu University) In A Revised Up-To-Date Form. He Has Brought Out A Most Comprehensive And Thorough Analysis Of The Material On The Worship Of Goddesses In The Proto-Historic And Vedic Periods Of India. A Vast Amount Of Archaeological Evidence Is Carefully Sifted And Analysed By Him In A Truer Cultic Perspective As Throwing New Light On The Role Of Mother-Goddesses In The Protohistoric Cultures Ranging From Small Agricultural Communities Of Baluchistan Foothills To The Highly Developed Harappans. Dr. Agrawala Has Also Identified And Discussed In A Systematic Manner Varied Motifs And Concepts Of Fertility Cultus In The Rgveda And Later Vedic Texts Which Were Subsequently Formulated Into Definite Images, Personifications And Attributes. He Has Marshalled In A Fully Objective Treatment All Those References In The Vedic Literature That Go Now To Reveal Numerous Fresh Aspects Of This Hitherto Unexplored Subject. One Is Able Indeed To See Through The Present Work How The Rgvedic Goddesses,Mostly Abstractions, Later On Assumed Mythical Definitions In The Pantheon And How The Folk Culture Of India Exercised Its Far-Reaching Influences On Higher Priestly Religion Not Only By Contributing Its Own Share Of Goddesses But Also Through Their More Concrete Identification With The Already Existing Ones In Myths And Cult Rituals.

This unit, designed for use with intermediate and junior high school students, centers on history of India and contains literature selections, poetry, writing ideas, curriculum connections to other subjects, group projects and more. The literary works included are: Exploration into India / by Anita Ganeri -- Tusk and Stone / by Malcolm Bosse.

Contains alphabetized entries on deities, concepts, practices, places, and objects related to the mythologies of cultures throughout history, and features color photos and sidebars. This volume covers Ach-Ara.

Contents: Introduction, The Geographical Background, How Nehru Discovered Ancient India-I, How Nehru Discovered Ancient India-II, The Economic History of Ancient India, Trade and Commerce in Ancient India, Town- Planning and House-Building in Ancient According to Silpasastras, Art and Architecture, Ancient House-Planning, Naming A Child or A Person, Mantra, Yantra and Tantra.

The Book Opens With A Critical Survey Of Religion, Art And Culture And Their Impact On People And Society At Large. Buddhism, Jainism And Bhakti Movements, All Are Judiciously Incorporated In The Present Monograph.