When the British began their rule in India the Muslims had been in power for several centuries. Yet their customs were strange to the newcomers and differed also from those of the Mohammedans they had met further west. The new wielders of power, many of them earnest young men straight from England, required some knowledge of the people they were to govern. G.A. Herklots was greatly interested in the customs and religions of India, and began to collect material for a book of his own. Then he met Ja’far Sharif, and pursuaded him to write the book in the Dakkhini language. In 1832 he was able to publish a translation of the work. The present edition was enlarged, extensively edited and reassembled by William Crooke. Thus it is now a very readable account of the beliefs and practices of the Muslims of both the Shi’a and the Sunni sect that were prevalent in India in the eighteenth century, with a modern explanation and background bringing it up to date.

Table of Contents:
Chapter I—Ethnography Chapter II—Birth Chapter III—Rites after Birth Chapter IV—Initiation, Birthdays Chapter V—Circumcision Chapter VI—Growth and Education Chapter VII—The Coming of Age of a Girl and a Boy Chapter VIII—Marriage Chapter IX—Death Chapter X—The Foundations of Islam Chapter XI—Prayer Chapter XII—Vows and Oblations; Some Indo-Musalman Saints Chapter XIII—Religious Buildings and Appliances for Worship Chapter XIV—The Muharram Festival Chapter XV—The Terah Tezi and Akhiri Charshamba Festivals Chapter XVI—The Barah Wafat; New Year and Spring Festivals Chapter XVII—The Festival of the Saint Pir-I-Dastaglr Chapter XVIII—The Festival of the Saint Zinda Shah Madar Chapter XIX—The Festival of the Saint Qadirwali Sahib Chapter XX—The Saints Rajab Salar, Sayyid Jalalu-D-Din; The Ascent of the Prophet into Heaven; Guga Chapter XXI—The Shab-I-Barat Festival Chapter XXII—The Ramazan Festival Chapter XXIII—The Festival of the Saint Banda Nawaz, Gesu Daraz Chapter XXIV—The ‘Idu-l-Fitr Festival Chapter XXV—The Baqar ‘Id Festival Chapter XXVI—Magic Chapter XXVII—Amulets and Charms Chapter XXVIII—Magical Methods Chapter XXIX—The Magical Detection of Thieves Chapter XXX—Travelling, Lucky and Unlucky Days Chapter XXXI—Sufi Mysticism Chapter XXXII—Dress, the Toilet Chapter XXXIII—Jewellery Chapter XXXIV—Food and Drink Chapter XXXV—Intoxicants, Stimulants Chapter XXXVI—Games