Fashion Styles of Ancient India

Costumes played a dominant role in beautifying human body in all ages. Next to language, it was probably the best item to recognize a group of people belonging to a specific race or living in a Particular society. The present work envisages a study of Orissa’s costumes and coiffures from the 1st Century to the beginning of the 16th Century, based on the archaeological evidences and literary corroborations. Orissa, as is well known, is dotted with a large number of monuments. These monuments include caves, Temples, viharas, stupas and stray sculpture. Orissa, in fact, is a true repository of its ancient culture, with Particular reference to costumes and hair styles. But this aspect remained neglected so far. Here is a genuine attempt to collect, classify, narrate and illustrate the innumerable varieties of costumes and hair styles as evidenced by the sculpture of Orissa. The glossary of terms given towards the end of the book will prove greatly enrichening.