About the Book :

For some time now there has been a growing feeling that researches in the social sciences in India ought to seek indigenous theme and models if they are to be of any relevance or use in furthering our knowledge. Anthropology, more than any other social science, must needs root itself more firmly on native soil if its findings are to provide fodder for future researches. This is volume 2 in a series which is intended to cover key problem areas in anthropology. Papers presented by academicians and administrators at a national symposium in Ranchi, Bihar have been put together in this book to present a case study of anthropological researches in Bihar. Such a study should be of immense value in identifying major areas for research on a priority basis and in indicating the quantum of research that has so far been produced. The overall picture given here also includes the teaching of anthropology in Bihar which is offered as a separate subject from the very first year up to the Masters degree in Ranchi University. An indispensable volume for anthropologists and sociologists and indeed for anyone interested in tribal studies.

About Author :

Lalita Prasad Vidyarthi (b. 1931) received his doctorate from the University of Chicago and is now Professor and Chairman of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Ranchi, India. Currently (1974-1978) he is the President of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences and of the 10th International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences to be held in India in 1978. Dr. Vidyarthi is the President of the Indian Anthropological Association, a Founder-Member of the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research, Chairman of the Task Force on Development of Tribal Areas of the Planning Commission, and a Member of the Central Council on Tribal Research Institute of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. He is Founder-Editor of The Journal of Social Research, The Indian Anthropologist, and The Research Journal of Ranchi University. His major fields of research are the Tribal Culture of India including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Urban-Industrial political, and action Anthropology; Indian Civilization, the History of Indian Culture, Folklore, village studies and History of Anthropological Theories. He has to his credit several internationally popular books.

V.S. Upadhyay (b. 20th January, 1942) is presently University Professor in the Post-graduate Department of Anthropology, Ranchi University, Ranchi, Bihar. He is serving this institution for the past 30 years. He has been an author of 30 research papers which have been published in the journals of national and international repute. He has been an author and co-author of five books, namely, Kharia: Then and Now, Development of Researches in Anthropology in India, Changing Dietary Pattern and Habits, Socio-cultural Implications of Leprosy and Bharat Men Janjatiya Sanskriti (in Hindi). He has wide field experience in the field of anthropology, ranging from Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Himalayan region. A widely travelled man, he has attended several international conferences in India and abroad. He is a member of IUAES, and Chairman of S.E. Asian Regional centre of Urgent Anthropological Research. He is an authority on anthropology of development. His recent work in the field of Medical Anthropology, specially on Leprosy, is first of its kind in India. He has directed five large scale research projects, mostly funded by the Government of India.