The tribes and castes of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh, Volume 1 (of 4)

"The Tribes and Castes of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh, Volume 1" by W. Crooke is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. This volume aims to provide a comprehensive survey of the diverse tribes and castes in the North-Western Provinces and Oudh, focusing particularly on their manners, customs, religious practices, and social transformations. The book is a significant contribution to the field of Indian sociology and anthropology, exploring how these social structures have evolved over time. At the start of the volume, the author acknowledges the extensive existing literature on the subject, citing earlier works that have laid the groundwork for his investigations. Crooke discusses the challenges of studying these communities, particularly due to the reticent nature of lower castes and the complexities surrounding social status claims. He emphasizes the changes occurring within caste systems, such as the process of Brāhmanization among various tribes and the merging of castes that impacts their traditional identities. This opening portion sets the stage for a detailed examination of the origins of caste and its implications within Indian society, which will unfold in subsequent chapters.