Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies: The Classic First-Hand Account of India in the Early Nineteenth Century

by Jean Antoine DuBois, Henry K. Beauchamp (Translation)

Based on an 1815 manuscript by a French missionary, this comprehensive work offers a unique panorama of early-19th-century Indian life. Caste system, ceremonial procedures, rules and etiquette, marriage, fasting, widowhood, funerary rites, literature, religion, much more. Index. 6 Appendices.

Genres: India, Religion

775 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1906

Reviews

[Azimah Othman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third reprint and is the translated edition of the the author's French manuscript by Henry K Beauchamp, a Fellow of Madras Uni/ Royal Historical Society and member of The Asiatic Society.

A reflection of Dudois' observations and eye witness of the subject, free from prejudice, during his 31 years residence in India colonial times as a Christian Missionary. He had witnessed the burning of widows especially of two queens holding hands over the pyre of the dead king. He had adopted the clothes of the Indian to gain their acceptance and studied their customs and methods of life

Very informative and anyone may use the book as a reference book in regard to the caste system, Brahminical life and the religion.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abbe Jean-Antoine Dubois (Author, 1765–1848) was a surprisingly broad-minded (especially considering his vocation and era) French Catholic missionary in Pondicherry, Madras (Chennai), Mysore, & Mangalore in India. He adopted Indian dress, diet, habit and languages. He accorded respect to all he met regardless of religion or caste and was esteemed in turn (unlike most Europeans who were considered, due to their 'unclean' habits, to be low untouchables). While the times and India have changed greatly in the intervening years, much has not changed, I would still recommend this book to all who plan on visiting India or who have Indian friends. I can't help wishing I had found this book before we went to India. No doubt I committed some unintentional faux pas while there due to my ignorance which I would have avoided if I had read this book first.

The only reason I didn't give this book 5* is that a 21st century update/footnoted edition is due and would be most helpful... Still a very informative, insightful, interesting and very readable history book as is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Ant...

Public domain e-book: http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/...


Pre-1923 Public Domain Book. Free download available at Gutenberg.org and/or Archive.org

[Dev Scott Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty enviable ethnographic technique for the time!

[Anay Dwivedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly informative, entertaining and at times amusing, owing to Dubois' background as a missionary.
One of the best books i have read.