Foreword vii Preface ix Introduction xi 1. Significance of Culture 1 I . FOUNDATIONS OF INDIAN CULTURE 2. Ancient Culture 21 3. The Indus Civilisation 25 4. The Vedic Culture 37 5. Post Vedic and Epic Culture 52 6. Jainism and Buddhism 66 7. The Smritis, the Puranas and the Gita 79 II CONSOLIDATION OF INDIAN CULTURE 8. The Classical Age 91 9. Indian Culture Abroad 145 10. South and the North 166 III ASSIMILATION BY INDIAN CULTURE 11. Introduction to Medieval Age 175 12. Age of the Rajputs 184 13. Culture During the Muslim Rule 221 14. An Attempt at Hindu-Muslim Synthesis 260 IV. MODERN AGE 15. Modern Culture 310 16. The West and India 313 17. The Indian Renaissance 327 18. Conclusion 399 Appendices A. Prophets of Indian Nationalism 411 B. Tribal and Folk Culture 420 C. Matri-Shakti (The Mother as Power) 429 Bibliography 431 Index 433