Table of Contents

Preface: The Man or the Rabbit in the Moon
1: Introduction: Working with Available Light
2: Time and Space in India: 50 Million to 50,000 BCE
3: Civilization in the Indus Valley: 50,000 to 1500 BCE
4: Between the Ruins and the Text: 2000 to 1500 BCE
5: Humans, Animals, and Gods in the Rig Veda: 1500 to 1000 BCE
6: Sacrifice in the Brahmanas: 800 to 500 BCE
7: Renunciation in the Upanishads: 600 to 200 BCE
8: The Three (or Is It Four?) Aims of Life in the Hindu Imaginary
9: Women and Ogresses in the Ramayana: 400 BCE to 200 CE
10: Violence in the Mahabharata: 300 BCE to 300 CE
11: Dharma in the Mahabharata: 300 BCE to 300 CE
12: Escape Clauses in the Shastras: 100 BCE to 400 CE
13: Bhakti in South India: 100 BCE to 900 CE
14: Goddesses and Gods in the Early Puranas: 300 to 600 CE
15: Sects and Sex in Tantric Puranas and the Tantras: 600 to 900 CE
16: Fusion and Rivalry Under the Dehli Sultanate: 650 to 1500 CE
17: Avatar and Accidental Grace in the Later Puranas: 800 to 1500 CE
18: Philosophical Feuds in South INdia and Kashmir: 800 to 1300 CE
19: Dialogue and Tolerance Under the Mughals: 1500 to 1700 CE
20: Hinduism Under the Mughals: 1500 to 1700 CE
21: Caste, Class, and Conversion Under the British Raj: 1600 to 1900 CE
22: Suttee and Reform in the Twilight of the Raj: 1800 to 1947 CE
23: Hindus in America: 1900-
24: The Past in the Present: 1950-
25: Inconclusion, or, the Abuse of History
Chronology
Guide to Pronunciation and Spelling
Glossary

Reviews

`This is history as great entertainment! Unlike the usual, arid accounts of dynasties, Wendy Doniger's double vision of Hinduism is about women, merchants, lower castes, animals, spirits and , of course, Dead Male Brahmins. This lively, earthy account explains why ancient India is the world's richest storytelling culture.
'
Gurcharan Das, author India Unbound
`Wendy Doniger's enthralling and encyclopaedic book reveals her vision of a Hindu culture that is plural, varied, generous, and inclusive. Hinduism, in her view, is an intricate weave of the diverse localities and communities of Indian culture. This is a rich text that will encourage dialogue and conversation among a wide range of scholars.
'
Homi K. Bhabha, Anne F. Rothenberg Professor of the Humanities, Harvard University
`With her vast erudition, insight, and graceful writing laced with gentle wit, there is no one better than Wendy Doniger to convey the richness, depth, and diversity of Hindu texts and traditions to international audiences. The Hindus is destined to become a classic that will be discussed and debated for many years to come.
'
Sudhir Kakar, author of Indian Identity