Castes and Tribes of Southern India

By THURSTON, C.I.E., EDGAR

Book Id: WPLBN0100301703
Format Type: PDF eBook:
File Size: 12.67 MB
Reproduction Date: 12/9/1895

Title:	Castes and Tribes of Southern India
Author:	THURSTON, C.I.E., EDGAR
Volume:	Volume 1
Language:	English
Subject:	Non Fiction, Social Sciences, South Asia
Collections:	Authors Community, Sociology
Historic Publication Date:	1895
Publisher:	VICTORIA INSTITUTIONS, Aaradhana, DEVERKOVIL 673508

Member Page:	VED from VICTORIA INSTITUTIONS
Citation APA MLA Chicago Thurston, C.I.E, B. E. (1895). Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.cc/

Description
The book is great. It was a pioneering attempt at understanding ethnographic differences inside the South Asian subcontinent. However, the most powerful factor that actually influences ethnographic differences in closely connected populations has not been mentioned or detected. This most powerful factor is the verbal codes in the native feudal languages, and the exact position of a caste or tribe or individual inside these languages

Summary
This is Volume One of Edgar Thurston’s CASTES AND TRIBES OF SOUTHERN INDIA. In this book, Thurston has attempted to list out the various castes and tribes of the southern parts of the South Asian Subcontinent. The various attributes of the various castes and tribes, including their family systems, customs, traditional vocation, spiritual beliefs, rituals, death ceremonies, position in the social hierarchy and such other things are delineated in this book.

Excerpt
PREFACE In 1894, equipped with a set of anthropometric Instruments obtained on loan from the Asiatic Society of Bengal, I commenced an investigation of the tribes of the Nilgiri hills, the Todas, Kotas, and Badagas, bringing down on myself the unofficial criticism that "anthropological research at high altitudes is eminently indicated when the thermometer registers 1000 in Madras." From this modest beginning have resulted :-( 1) investigation of various classes which inhabit the city of Madras; ( 2) periodical tours to various parts of the Madras Presidency, with a view to the study of the more important tribes and classes; (3) the publication of Bulletins, wherein the results of my work are embodied; (4) the establishment of an anthropological laboratory ; (5) a collection of photographs of Native types ; (6) a series of lantern slides for lecture purposes ; (7) a collection of phonograph records of tribal songs and music.

Table of Contents
Commentary The full book