In this work, an attempt has been made to present in a concise form the various and variegated facets of village and village life in northern India from c. 6th century BC, a great landmark in Indian history in several field, to c. 1st century AD, by linking together pieces of evidence culled from literary and archaeological sources. The first chapter deals with time frame, area of study and sources and their relative merit for historical reconstruction. The next two chapters discuss the form and character of villages and their position vis-?-vis towns and cities. The fourth chapter discusses socio-economic stratification, and the fifth, sixth and seventh chapters, aspects of social, economic and religious life, respectively. Administration and taxation forms the subject of the eighth chapter. Then follow two appendices dealing with ownership of land, and grant of agricultural land and villages, respectively, a Bibliography and an Index. Forty-five line-drawings and twelve photographs have been added which throw light on various aspects of the life of the village folk. Similarities and diversities between villages and towns have been highlighted, and an attempt has been made to distinguish between ideal and real, common and rare, and change and continuity.
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