Foreign Elements In Ancient Indian Society: 2Nd Century Bc To 7Th Century Ad

In Indian history the decline of the Mauryan empire synchronised with large scale invasions leading to foreign occupation of northern India and parts of the Deccan. This also resulted in the infiltration of sizable foreign population. The political consequences of these invasions were indeed great and these have been adequately dealt with by scholars. The social consequences of foreign invasions have not, however, attracted the attention of scholars in the same measure. This book is an attempt to analyse and interpret these political upheavals in cultural terms. Food and drinks, dress ornaments and toilet, cults and cult objects, social organization and the caste system and social entertainments are primary to a society where the influence, if any, is most fundamental. These are, therefore, the aspects which have been taken up for studying the social impact of foreign invasions.