Picture 1 of 1
Gallery
Picture 1 of 1
Have one to sell?
Classifying the Universe: The Ancient Indian Varna System and the Origins of...
by Smith, Brian K. | PB | Good
US $17.72
ApproximatelyC $24.49
Condition:
“Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, ”... Read moreabout condition
Good
A book that has been read but is in good condition. Very minimal damage to the cover including scuff marks, but no holes or tears. The dust jacket for hard covers may not be included. Binding has minimal wear. The majority of pages are undamaged with minimal creasing or tearing, minimal pencil underlining of text, no highlighting of text, no writing in margins. No missing pages. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
- Buy It NowClassifying the Universe: The Ancient Indian Varna System and the Origins of...
Oops! Looks like we're having trouble connecting to our server.
Refresh your browser window to try again.
Shipping:
Free Economy Shipping.
Estimated between Wed, Aug 20 and Mon, Aug 25 to 94104
Located in: Aurora, Illinois, United States
Returns:
30 days return. Seller pays for return shipping.
Payments:
Shop with confidence
Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.
eBay item number:197377463432
Item specifics
- Condition
- Good
- Seller Notes
- Binding
- Paperback
- Book Title
- Classifying the Universe
- Weight
- 1 lbs
- Product Group
- Book
- IsTextBook
- No
- ISBN
- 9780195084986
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Oxford University Press, Incorporated
ISBN-10
0195084985
ISBN-13
9780195084986
eBay Product ID (ePID)
58910
Product Key Features
Number of Pages
424 Pages
Publication Name
Classifying the Universe : the Ancient Indian Varna System and the Origins of Caste
Language
English
Subject
Social Classes & Economic Disparity
Publication Year
1994
Type
Textbook
Subject Area
Social Science
Format
Trade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Height
0.9 in
Item Weight
20.8 Oz
Item Length
9.3 in
Item Width
6 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
College Audience
LCCN
93-009363
Reviews
"Impeccable scholarship--a truly original book. Smith writes clearly and elegantly, illuminating the complex sophistication of ancient Indian taxonomies, and bringing theory into the palpable, objective universe of flora, fauna, and people, where it belongs."--Indira V. Peterson, Mount HolyokeCollege, "A helpful addition to our understanding of the development both of caste and the Hindu mindset. Well researched and documented."--Robert K.C. Forman, Hunter College, "Impeccable scholarship--a truly original book. Smith writes clearly andelegantly, illuminating the complex sophistication of ancient Indian taxonomies,and bringing theory into the palpable, objective universe of flora, fauna, andpeople, where it belongs."--Indira V. Peterson, Mount Holyoke College, "Excellent documentation and challenging to theorists on classificationsystems."--Whalen Lai, University of California at Davis, "Excellent documentation and challenging to theorists on classification systems."--Whalen Lai, University of California at Davis, "A creative and wide-ranging application of the idea that varna is the underlying classificatory principle of Indian society and thought."--Richard W. Lariviere, University of Texas, Austin, "...illuminating study...Smith has managed to combine close textualanalysis with a discussion of...issues...in a highly rewarding manner. There isan excellent index."--American Historical Review, "Explains a complex and difficult subject in clear, simplelanguage."--H.L. Seneviratne, University of Virginia, "...illuminating study...Smith has managed to combine close textual analysis with a discussion of...issues...in a highly rewarding manner. There is an excellent index."--American Historical Review, "A creative and wide-ranging application of the idea that varna is theunderlying classificatory principle of Indian society and thought."--Richard W.Lariviere, University of Texas, Austin, "...illuminating study...Smith has managed to combine close textual analysis with a discussion of...issues...in a highly rewarding manner. There is an excellent index."--American Historical Review"Excellent documentation and challenging to theorists on classification systems."--Whalen Lai, University of California at Davis"Explains a complex and difficult subject in clear, simple language."--H.L. Seneviratne, University of Virginia"A helpful addition to our understanding of the development both of caste and the Hindu mindset. Well researched and documented."--Robert K.C. Forman, Hunter College"A creative and wide-ranging application of the idea that varna is the underlying classificatory principle of Indian society and thought."--Richard W. Lariviere, University of Texas, Austin"Impeccable scholarship--a truly original book. Smith writes clearly and elegantly, illuminating the complex sophistication of ancient Indian taxonomies, and bringing theory into the palpable, objective universe of flora, fauna, and people, where it belongs."--Indira V. Peterson, Mount Holyoke CollegeReviewed in Journal of the American Academy of Religion, "A helpful addition to our understanding of the development both of casteand the Hindu mindset. Well researched and documented."--Robert K.C. Forman,Hunter College, "Explains a complex and difficult subject in clear, simple language."--H.L. Seneviratne, University of Virginia
Dewey Edition
20
Illustrated
Yes
Dewey Decimal
305.51220954
Synopsis
The first book to analyze why India's caste system has authoritatively endured for so long, this path-breaking text provides, for the first time anywhere, an exhaustive analysis of the historical predecessor to caste: the ancient Indian varna system as it was laid out in the Vedic literature. Presenting a revisionist overview of the way the religion of the Veda is to be understood, Classifying the Universe demonstrates that social classes were systematically reduplicated in taxonomies that organized the universe as a whole. The classification of society, in which some groups were accorded rights and privileges withheld from others, could thus be represented as part of a primordial and universally applicable order of things. Social hierarchy, argues the author, was in this way subtly but powerfully justified by recourse to other realms of the cosmos that were similarly ordered, and this essentially religious understanding of varna is the key to comprehending the Vedic world-view in all its complexity, and the persistence of its power in the social realm., This is a comprehensive examination of the 'varna' system - a classificatory scheme laid out in the classical Hindu Vedic literature and thought to underlie the concept of caste, which continues to exert a powerful and pervasive influence over Indian life.
Item description from the seller
Seller feedback (5,706,405)
- c***m (426)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseWOW!; I cannot believe this 3 Days to Hawaii! ; AAA+++; Excellent Service; Great Pricing; Fast Delivery-Faster Than Expected to Hawaii!; Shipped 05/05, Mon, Received 05/08, Thu to Hawaii using free shipping; USPS Ground Mail, Book in Excellent Condition--Better Than Described ; TLC Packaging; Excellent Seller Communication, Sends updates . Highly Recommended!, Thank you very much!The Internment of Japanese Americans During World War II (#146005407795)
- v***v (2069)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseAlthough this book was not as described, with no picture of it in the listing, the seller communicated well and quickly gave me a full refund while letting me keep it. The minimal packaging left the book a bit vulnerable (typical for ThriftBooks), but it did arrive safely and timely. As usual, it’s hit or miss with this seller, but often times you can get great values, and their customer service is always very good. Many other sellers with millions of transactions don’t even communicate.
- 2***j (113)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseI've ordered several items from this vendor now and they've always been what they were advertised as. This was no exception. Both discs were in great shape as well as their jewel cases. Delivery is good, packaging is simple but effective for what you're paying and I haven't had any get damaged. Will keep buying from this vendor because of the results so far and good prices, too.
More to explore:
- Cambridge University Press Ancient Original Antiquarian & Collectible Books,
- Ancient Original Antiquarian & Collectible Books,
- Asian Ancient Original Antiquarian & Collectible Books,
- Ancient Original Antiquarian & Collectible Books in Greek,
- Original Ancient Vellum Antiquarian & Collectible Books,
- Americana Original Ancient Antiquarian & Collectible Books,
- Literature, Ancient Hardcover Original Antiquarian & Collectible Books,
- Original Ancient Literature & Fiction Antiquarian & Collectible Books,
- Religion & Spirituality Ancient Original Antiquarian & Collectible Books,
- Ancient Hardcover Original Antiquarian & Collectible Books in English
Seller feedback (5,706,405)
- c***m (426)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseWOW!; I cannot believe this 3 Days to Hawaii! ; AAA+++; Excellent Service; Great Pricing; Fast Delivery-Faster Than Expected to Hawaii!; Shipped 05/05, Mon, Received 05/08, Thu to Hawaii using free shipping; USPS Ground Mail, Book in Excellent Condition--Better Than Described ; TLC Packaging; Excellent Seller Communication, Sends updates . Highly Recommended!, Thank you very much!The Internment of Japanese Americans During World War II (#146005407795)
- v***v (2069)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseAlthough this book was not as described, with no picture of it in the listing, the seller communicated well and quickly gave me a full refund while letting me keep it. The minimal packaging left the book a bit vulnerable (typical for ThriftBooks), but it did arrive safely and timely. As usual, it’s hit or miss with this seller, but often times you can get great values, and their customer service is always very good. Many other sellers with millions of transactions don’t even communicate.
- 2***j (113)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseI've ordered several items from this vendor now and they've always been what they were advertised as. This was no exception. Both discs were in great shape as well as their jewel cases. Delivery is good, packaging is simple but effective for what you're paying and I haven't had any get damaged. Will keep buying from this vendor because of the results so far and good prices, too.