<p>Brahmans in Benares about 500 years ago were shocked when the low caste cobbler Raidas attracted huge crowds away from their rituals. His message was simple and clear without arrogance and self-interest. Raidas still remains in contemporary times a catalyst for all who yearn for the ‘Uplifter of the Fallen the Master of the Meek.’ Humble was his origin humble is human existence and the voice of Raidas speaks for all then and now who identify with that status. The fame of Raidas earned him a place of honour in the prestigious Påc-vani of Rajasthan. Several performers at the same time around 1600 brought together in one repertoire the very popular pads and sakhis of the Bhaktas who were then on the top of the list in each performance of Nirgun Bhakti devotion: Dadu Kabir Namdev Raidas and Hardas. In the Punjab too when Guru Arjan compiled the Adi-Granth Raidas was quoted as a precursor as an inspirer along with Namdev Kabir and several other Bhaktas. On the basis of the earliest manuscripts with the songs of Raidas the authors have prepared a critical edition with English translation. At the same time they have examined the sources giving data about the life of Raidas. Even if the hagioraphical elements common in both ‘Punjabi’ and ‘Hindi’ sources are few one fact stands for certain: the low born Raidas in Benares was very popular and he excelled in all controversies with the local Brahmans.</p>

<p>The prehistoric phase forms the longest period in human history covering a few millennia whereas the knowledge of writing which could be used for the reconstruction of history was acquired by man only five thousand years ago. The development of human culture can be properly understood only by studying the prehistoric past. The antiquity of man now goes back to 3.6 million years and since then man has been progressing in the face of all odds. Man the hunted became man the hunter later acquired the technique of food production which further led to sedentary existence fashioned artefacts to cope with environment learnt the use of metals and established trading contacts finally leading to urbanization. In India the first Stone Age tools were discovered in Tamil Nadu which have recently been dated to 1.5 million years (but could not be included in the present volume as it was too late). The proper study of prehistory received a boost in the post-Independence period. Hundreds of pre­historic sites have since been discovered almost all over the country even in the north-east which was archaeologically a terra incognita till now. Systematic excavations have been carried out and the data scientifically analysed stages of evolution of culture from food gathering to food producing have been traced and the further development into the glorious Indus – Harappan – civilization has also been critically reviewed. The volume includes contributions from acknowledged experts in the field. Greater emphasis has been laid on scientific evidence which brings out the role of environment in the evolution of cultures. The study ends with the advent of Aryans which is one of the knottiest of issues in human history. About the Author The late Professor M.K. Dhavalikar (1930-2018) retired as a Professor of Archaeology and Director of the Deccan College Post-Graduate Research Institute Pune. He had published 27 books some of which include Ajanta: A Cultural Study (1973) Late Hinayana Caves of Western India (1984) Indian Protohistory (1997) The Aryans: Myth and Archaeology (2006) and Socio-Economic Archaeology of India (2014). His excavation reports of numerous sites such as Inamgaon Kuntasi Prabhas Patan etc. have been robust testimonies of his dedicated service to Indian archaeology. The Indian History Congress elected him as its General President for its annual session in 1999. In recognition of his accomplishments the President of India bestowed upon him the coveted civilian award ‘Padma Shri’ in 2011.</p>