The Religions of India

A handy guide to every religion practised in India In India the birthplace of some of the world’s major faiths and home to many more religion is a way of life existing as much in temples mosques churches and wayside shrines as it does in social laws cultural practices and the political arena. The Religions of India contains in a single volume a comprehensive account of every major faith practised in the country today―Hinduism Islam Sikhism Christianity Buddhism Jainism Zoroastrianism Judaism and the Bahai faith. This meticulously researched work traverses a vast range of topics―from Somnatha Temple and Babri Masjid to Tirthankaras and the Akali Movement from the Shariat and the Eucharist to Shabuoth and nirvana. It places each religion in its historical context tracing its evolution from its inception to the present. • Incisive profiles of founders and key patrons deities saints mystics and philosophers • Information on and insights into lesser-known and regional forms of worship as well as important festivals customs and rituals • Extensively cross-referenced with suggestions for further reading About the Author Roshen Dalal was born in Mussoorie in 1952 and studied in various schools. After a BA (Hons) in History she completed an MA and PhD in Ancient Indian History from Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi. She has worked on various research projects in History and taught at school and university level. Roshen Dalal is the author of the best-selling two-volume Puffin History of India for Children and of Hinduism An Alphabetical guide. She lives in New Delhi and is working on her next book The Penguin Companion to the Vedas.