Publisher's Synopsis
The Popular Religion and Folklore of Northern India is a comprehensive study of the religious beliefs, practices, and folklore of the people of Northern India. Written by W. Crooke, the book provides a detailed account of the various religious traditions that have evolved in the region, including Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, and Jainism.The book covers a wide range of topics related to religion and folklore, including the worship of deities, the use of amulets and charms, the role of saints and holy men, and the significance of festivals and rituals. It also explores the various forms of folk art and literature that have emerged in the region, such as folk songs, ballads, and stories.Crooke draws on a wealth of primary sources, including interviews with local people, to provide a vivid and engaging portrait of the religious and cultural life of Northern India. The book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history and culture of the region, as well as for scholars of religion and folklore.1896. Two Volumes in One. Crooke writes in the Preface that he is attempting to bring together some of the information available on the popular beliefs of the races of Upper India. His object in writing the book is threefold. In the first place he desired to collect, for the use of all officers whose work lies among the rural classes, some information on the beliefs of the people which will enable them, in some degree, to understand the mysterious inner life of the races among whom their lot is cast; secondly, it may be hoped that this introductory sketch will stimulate inquiry, particularly among the educated races of the country, who have, as yet, done little to enable Europeans to gain a fuller and more sympathetic knowledge of their rural brethren; and lastly, while he has endeavored more to collect facts than to theorize upon them, he hopes that European scholars may find in these pages some fresh examples of familiar principles. Contents of Volume I: The Godlings of Nature; The Heroic and Village Godlings; The Godlings of Disease; The Worship of the Sainted Dead; Worship of the Malevolent Dead. Contents of Volume II: The Evil Eye and the Scaring of Ghosts; Tree and Serpent Worship; Totemism and Fetishism; Animal-Worship; The Black Art; and Some Rural Festivals and Ceremonies.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
