Introduction
PART I
1 Note on the origin of the Hindu Trimurti
2 The supposed Maya origin of the Elephocephalous deity Ganesha
3 The anthropological method of interpretation of Avestic and Vedic texts, ideas, and usages: part I
4 The anthropological method of interpretation of Avestic and Vedic texts, ideas, and usages: part II
5 Deification of light among ancient nations, Eastern and Western
6 The migration of a form of Iranian religious ideas to ancient Rome and other countries of Europe, and the narrow escape of early Christianity in its conflict with them for the dominion of the world
7 Was there any institution in ancient Iran like that of caste in India?
8 An ancient Egyptian legend in Buddhist guise
9 Is the retention of the term “Animism” as a main religion head in our census tables justified?
10 Totem theories
PART II
11 Tree worship in Mohenjo Daro
12 Exorcism of spirit in India and exorcism of physical impurity in Persia: a parallel with respect to the various parts of the body treated in the exorcism
13 Ethnographical notes on the Muhammadan castes of Bengal
14 A book procession of the Tibetan Lamas, as seen at Darjeeling
15 On superstitions of the Goa people from Portuguese sources
16 A note on the worship of the Demon Rahu by the Dusadhs of South Bihar
17 On curious tenets and practices of a certain class of Faqirs in Bengal
18 A note on the rise of a new Hindu sect in Bihar
19 A theoretical history of the Goddess Yellamma
20 The festivities in honour of Siva in the month of Chaitra
21 Short account of the reformed Shaiva or Veerashaiva faith
22 Swastika
Glossary
Author Index
Subject Index

This volume explores the inherent pluralism of Hinduism through ethnographic and philosophical evidence as presented in the Journal of Anthropological Society of Bombay. The essays dated 1886–1936 represent a period that marked the emergence of a European-educated native intelligentsia with a rationalist outlook. The chapters cover a wide range of topics from Tree Worship in Mohenjo Daro, the origin of the Hindu Trimurti, interpretation of Avestic and Vedic Texts, to the second set of more localized chapters that cover the Muhammadan Castes of Bengal, the Tenets and Practices of a Certain Class of Faqirs in Bengal, the Theoretical History of the Goddess Yellamma, and much more. Written during a particular historical as well as intellectual period that reflected certain key patterns – a period just following the Bengal Renaissance of the nineteenth century that ushered in the ideologies of a reformative Hinduism – this volume highlights how religions of all denominations have influenced each other and appear to have mingled beliefs and practices from multiple sources. It shows how tolerance and inclusiveness along with syncretism have been part of India’s religious and social history. This book will be of interest to students and researchers of religions, history, anthropology, sociology, political science, and sociology of religion. It will also be useful to those interested in inter-religious dialogues and civil society. ---provided by publisher