Modern Hinduism

The book gives an account of the life of the Hindus, which is largely the result of the worship of their deities. Having lived for many years in India, and met with all classes of the community in the cities and in the villages, and having conversed with them in their own language, the author has learned much that is not to be found in books written on this most interesting subject. He has read the accounts of Europeans and Bengalis concerning the faiths and practices of the people and conversed with priests and pundits and tested the accuracy of many of the statements made in these works, so that what is found in these pages may be received with confidence as a trustworthy account of the religious life of the Hindu community. Instead of commenting on the character of these practices, the author has assumed the role of a chronicler rather than a preacher.