The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India, Volume 4

This volume offers a snapshot of early‑twentieth‑century scholarship on the people of central India, compiled by a senior civil‑service ethnographer and his local assistant. Written just after the First World War, it reflects the administrative effort to document social groups for governance, while also preserving observations that would otherwise have vanished.

Organised alphabetically, the book presents concise articles on dozens of castes and tribes—from potters and blacksmiths to forest dwellers and soldier‑farmers. Each entry notes traditional occupations, regional distribution, and distinctive customs, giving listeners a quick yet vivid picture of how these communities fit into the wider fabric of the provinces. The language is plain and factual, making it accessible even for those unfamiliar with the period’s terminology.

For anyone curious about India’s complex social landscape, the volume serves as a useful reference and a window into a world recorded at a pivotal moment in history. Its systematic approach invites listeners to explore the rich mosaic of livelihoods and identities that shaped daily life across the Central Provinces.