"There are more than one billion Hindus in the world, but for those who don't practice the faith, very little seems to be understood about it. Followers have not only built and sustained the world's largest democracy but have also sustained one of the greatest philosophical streams in the world for more than three thousand years. So, what makes a Hindu? Why is so little heard from the real practitioners of the everyday faith? Why does information...

Covering the long history of how the Hindu religion has developed from its fragmented origins, this is a comprehensive guide to Hindu religion and culture, from karma and reincarnation to dietary habits and the caste system.