Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Vol. 6 of 7

Name: Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Vol. 6 of 7
Author: Edgar Thurston

By Edgar Thurston

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About This Book

This volume presents ethnographic entries on southern Indian castes and tribes from P to S, combining field observations, local traditions, origin legends, ritual practices, temple associations, marriage and funerary rites, occupational notes, and claims of historic descent. It documents ceremonial duties, festivals, legal disputes over ritual rights, and everyday material culture, often citing community-authored tracts and local inscriptions, and is illustrated to support descriptions of social organization, belief systems, and ceremonial life across diverse communities.

About the Author

Edgar Thurston

Edgar Thurston was a British ethnographer and civil servant known for his extensive work on the social structure of Southern India. His most notable contribution is the multi-volume series "Castes and Tribes of Southern India," which provides a comprehensive examination of the diverse communities in the region, detailing their customs, traditions, and social hierarchies. In addition to this seminal work, he also authored "Omens and Superstitions of Southern India," which explores the cultural beliefs and practices surrounding omens in the local context. Thurston's research has been influential in the fields of anthropology and sociology, offering valuable insights into the complexities of Indian society.