Religion and Rajput Women

Book Details:

• Author: Lindsey Harlan

• Brand: University of California Press

• Edition: Reprint

• Binding: Paperback

• ISBN: 9780520301757

• Pages: 260

• Release Date: 23-10-2018

• Package Dimensions: 9.0 x 6.0 x 0.7 inches

• Languages: English

About The Book:

The Goddesses' Henchmen: Gender and Caste in the Religious Narratives of Rajput Women delves into the complex intersection of caste and gender within the religious and cultural narratives of Rajput women. Based on over a year of fieldwork in Rajasthan, the author Lindsey Harlan interviews more than a hundred women from diverse segments of Rajput society to explore their religious practices, particularly their veneration of the family kuldevi (a goddess who represents the ideal wife and protects against illness, poverty, and infertility) and the devotion to satimatas (women who have committed self-immolation on their husband's funeral pyre). Through personal interviews, these women recount religious myths, legends, and stories, drawing parallels between their own lives and those of famous Indian heroines. This exploration reveals the women’s perspectives on these religious rituals, offering insights into how their faith shapes their self-perception and understanding of gender and caste. This book is an essential read for those interested in understanding the religious and social dynamics of Rajput women in Rajasthan.