Synopsis Hindu was a term used for the people who lived across Sindhu. Hence it indicated the way of life of the people and not any religion as such. However, Hindus acquired a composite culture after the advent of Islam in India. Therefore the subject examined here-in has nothing to do with the much malinged and politicised version of Hindutva or Hindu. Aim of this encyclopaedia on Hinduism is to select best relevant and authentic, of course, interesting material on the various aspects of life of the people living east of Indus with tin present day India. In preparing this work we are not making one more attempt at providing a conventional encyclopaedia of Hinduism. Effort is being made to select material and ideas which could help us in solving or understanding better, our contemporary political, social, economic, educational, religious, cultural and various other problems. This would enable us to recreate vibrant, prosperous happy and healthy India of the new millennium and help in securing global peace and harmony.