Hand-Book on Rajputs- History and Origin, Geographical Distribution, Religion, Custom, and Festivals

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Author A.H. Bingley gives a concise study of the Rajputs in Hand Book on Rajputs, covering various aspects relating to them, so that the reader gets an overview of the Rajputs. He begins with the origins of the Rajputs, briefly touching on ancient Rajput kingdoms, foundation of the Lunar and Solar races, invasions of Muslims, Greeks, the Mughals, raising of Imperial troops, role played by the Rajputs in the Mutiny and provides many other details as well.

Bingley devotes the remaining chapters to their classification; festivals, customs and religion; general characteristics; and Rajput recruitments. Under classification, Bingley has listed 78 clans, covering their geographical distribution, history, religion followed and clans they can intermarry with. The chapter on social and religious matters, including their customs pertaining to birth, death, marriage, and other ceremonies like child naming ceremony, and the like. The festivals have been presented in a tabular format, which also includes a brief description of the festivals listed. In the other two chapters, Bingley talks about generalities like habits of the eastern and western Rajputs, religion, food and clothing, and more, which gives an insight into their life and social structure; while the chapter on recruitment reads more like a guidebook for British officers when inducting Rajputs into the army. The author has used a lucid language, and drawn references from several books that he has listed early on in 'Hand-Book'. In addition to two maps, Bingley has provided appendices as well.