Religion and Folklore of Northern India

A keen observer of the Indian way of life during his time as the magistrate and collector of revenue in the united provinces of Agra and Oudh, William Crooke’s fascinating account of the religion and folklore of Northern India remains as important as it was when it was written in 1926. This detailed account of the religious customs and habits of the peasant folk of the region distinguishes between Brahmanic Gods and village ‘Godlings’, examining how the people’s survival in the natural world and their attempt to extract meaning from it are intricately linked to their religious beliefs. Through this process springs various folklore and stories which become an important part of their history and identity. Religion and Folklore of Northern India has remained a central source of information for both the scholar and the interested reader.