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Classifying the Universe: The Ancient Indian Varna System and the Origins of...
by Smith, Brian K. | PB | Good
US $22.68
Approximately£16.79
Condition:
“Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, ”... Read moreAbout condition
Good
A book that has been read, but is in good condition. Minimal damage to the book cover eg. scuff marks, but no holes or tears. If this is a hard cover, the dust jacket may be missing. Binding has minimal wear. The majority of pages are undamaged with some creasing or tearing, and pencil underlining of text, but this is minimal. No highlighting of text, no writing in the margins, and no missing pages. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
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Located in: Aurora, Illinois, United States
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eBay item number:197377463432
Item specifics
- Condition
- Good
- Seller notes
- Binding
- Paperback
- Book Title
- Classifying the Universe
- Weight
- 1 lbs
- Product Group
- Book
- IsTextBook
- No
- ISBN
- 9780195084986
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Oxford University Press, Incorporated
ISBN-10
0195084985
ISBN-13
9780195084986
eBay Product ID (ePID)
58910
Product Key Features
Number of Pages
424 Pages
Publication Name
Classifying the Universe : the Ancient Indian Varna System and the Origins of Caste
Language
English
Subject
Social Classes & Economic Disparity
Publication Year
1994
Type
Textbook
Subject Area
Social Science
Format
Trade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Height
0.9 in
Item Weight
20.8 Oz
Item Length
9.3 in
Item Width
6 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
College Audience
LCCN
93-009363
Reviews
"Impeccable scholarship--a truly original book. Smith writes clearly and elegantly, illuminating the complex sophistication of ancient Indian taxonomies, and bringing theory into the palpable, objective universe of flora, fauna, and people, where it belongs."--Indira V. Peterson, Mount HolyokeCollege, "Impeccable scholarship--a truly original book. Smith writes clearly andelegantly, illuminating the complex sophistication of ancient Indian taxonomies,and bringing theory into the palpable, objective universe of flora, fauna, andpeople, where it belongs."--Indira V. Peterson, Mount Holyoke College, "A helpful addition to our understanding of the development both of caste and the Hindu mindset. Well researched and documented."--Robert K.C. Forman, Hunter College, "Excellent documentation and challenging to theorists on classificationsystems."--Whalen Lai, University of California at Davis, "Excellent documentation and challenging to theorists on classification systems."--Whalen Lai, University of California at Davis, "A creative and wide-ranging application of the idea that varna is the underlying classificatory principle of Indian society and thought."--Richard W. Lariviere, University of Texas, Austin, "...illuminating study...Smith has managed to combine close textualanalysis with a discussion of...issues...in a highly rewarding manner. There isan excellent index."--American Historical Review, "Explains a complex and difficult subject in clear, simplelanguage."--H.L. Seneviratne, University of Virginia, "...illuminating study...Smith has managed to combine close textual analysis with a discussion of...issues...in a highly rewarding manner. There is an excellent index."--American Historical Review, "A creative and wide-ranging application of the idea that varna is theunderlying classificatory principle of Indian society and thought."--Richard W.Lariviere, University of Texas, Austin, "...illuminating study...Smith has managed to combine close textual analysis with a discussion of...issues...in a highly rewarding manner. There is an excellent index."--American Historical Review"Excellent documentation and challenging to theorists on classification systems."--Whalen Lai, University of California at Davis"Explains a complex and difficult subject in clear, simple language."--H.L. Seneviratne, University of Virginia"A helpful addition to our understanding of the development both of caste and the Hindu mindset. Well researched and documented."--Robert K.C. Forman, Hunter College"A creative and wide-ranging application of the idea that varna is the underlying classificatory principle of Indian society and thought."--Richard W. Lariviere, University of Texas, Austin"Impeccable scholarship--a truly original book. Smith writes clearly and elegantly, illuminating the complex sophistication of ancient Indian taxonomies, and bringing theory into the palpable, objective universe of flora, fauna, and people, where it belongs."--Indira V. Peterson, Mount Holyoke CollegeReviewed in Journal of the American Academy of Religion, "A helpful addition to our understanding of the development both of casteand the Hindu mindset. Well researched and documented."--Robert K.C. Forman,Hunter College, "Explains a complex and difficult subject in clear, simple language."--H.L. Seneviratne, University of Virginia
Dewey Edition
20
Illustrated
Yes
Dewey Decimal
305.51220954
Synopsis
The first book to analyze why India's caste system has authoritatively endured for so long, this path-breaking text provides, for the first time anywhere, an exhaustive analysis of the historical predecessor to caste: the ancient Indian varna system as it was laid out in the Vedic literature. Presenting a revisionist overview of the way the religion of the Veda is to be understood, Classifying the Universe demonstrates that social classes were systematically reduplicated in taxonomies that organized the universe as a whole. The classification of society, in which some groups were accorded rights and privileges withheld from others, could thus be represented as part of a primordial and universally applicable order of things. Social hierarchy, argues the author, was in this way subtly but powerfully justified by recourse to other realms of the cosmos that were similarly ordered, and this essentially religious understanding of varna is the key to comprehending the Vedic world-view in all its complexity, and the persistence of its power in the social realm., The first book to analyze why India's caste system has authoritatively endured for so long, this path-breaking text provides, for the first time anywhere, an exhaustive analysis of the historical predecessor to caste: the ancient Indian varna system as it was laid out in the Vedic literature. Presenting a revisionist overview of the way the religion of the Veda is to be understood, Classifying the Universe demonstrates that social classes weresystematically reduplicated in taxonomies that organized the universe as a whole. The classification of society, in which some groups were accorded rights and privileges withheld from others, could thus be represented aspart of a primordial and universally applicable order of things. Social hierarchy, argues the author, was in this way subtly but powerfully justified by recourse to other realms of the cosmos that were similarly ordered, and this essentially religious understanding of varna is the key to comprehending the Vedic world-view in all its complexity, and the persistence of its power in the social realm., This is a comprehensive examination of the 'varna' system - a classificatory scheme laid out in the classical Hindu Vedic literature and thought to underlie the concept of caste, which continues to exert a powerful and pervasive influence over Indian life.
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- v***v (2054)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseAlthough this book was not as described, with no picture of it in the listing, the seller communicated well and quickly gave me a full refund while letting me keep it. The minimal packaging left the book a bit vulnerable (typical for ThriftBooks), but it did arrive safely and timely. As usual, it’s hit or miss with this seller, but often times you can get great values, and their customer service is always very good. Many other sellers with millions of transactions don’t even communicate.
- a***r (375)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchasei am so happy to have every book of this series! the price of the book & the shipping is very reasonable! the book was as described & was in excellent condition! it was shipped quickly & arrived quickly! the books are always packaged carefully so they arrived undamaged! the communication from the sellers is always excellent--they go out of their way for excellent customer service! i have been a repeat customer from this seller & always will be! this seller is the best bookseller on ebay!