The World of Nomads

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This is a socio-anthropological work based on life-long research of Padmashri Dr. S. S. Shashi for which he travelled in India and 55 countries extensively. He continues his journey and advanced studies, particularly the world of nomads even today.

The book contains the sociology of nomads, the glimpses of socio-cultural changes of nomadic tribes and communities, namely the Gujjars, the Gaddis, the Bhotlyas, the Khampas, the Banjaras, the Gadulia Lohars and nomadic shepherds of India, known as Kurubas, Gonds, Dhangars, Pals, Baghels and some Kshatriya and Brahman nomads as well.

It is an authentic study of Roma, Sinti, Gitano, Gypsies and nomads of Europe and America, who migrated from India about one thousand years ago. The author has also included a chapter on Non-Resident Indians, based on his contemporary sociological study and literary journey to USA and UK from May to July 2003. In 2004, he visited Hungary whose ancestors were nomads and ruled in India also in 4th century.

The book contains many more interesting features of Indian nomadic groups and observed by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and others. It is an everlasting record and compendium volume of world culture beneficial to planners, administrators, diplomats, scholars and common readers.

Dr. Shyam Singh Shashi is an eminent Social Scientist, Nomadic Anthropologist, Literature, Academician and Journalist. He was awarded PADMASHRI by the President of India in 1990 for his multi-faceted achievements in the field of literature and social sciences. He has over three hundred books to his credit on variety of subjects viz 'Nomads Of The Himalayas', 'Gaddi Tribe', 'Roma- The Gypsy World', 'Nehru and the Tribals', 'Tribal Women of India', 'Our Tribal Children', 'Himachal-Nature's Peaceful Paradise', 'The Shakas and Hoonas Through the Ages', 'The Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences and Humanities (50 Vols.)', 'Encyclopaedia Indian Tribes' (12 Vols.), 'Encyclopaedia Indica' (150 Vols.) and 20 poetic collections including an epic entitled 'Agni-sagar' besides his travelogues and children's literature. Many Hindi Research Scholars have conducted research on his creative works and obtained Ph. Ds.

Dr. Shashi is Ph.D. (sociology), D. Litt. (Anthropology and Literature) and P.G. in Management from Manchester University of England. He has travelled in most of the tribal belts in India, Europe, America and Asia, including USA, UK, Russia, Mexico and Japan. He has chaired many national and International Conferences/Seminars in India and abroad.

Dr. Shashi has served in the Govt. of India as Director/DG. He has been Vice-Chairman/Chairman, Grievance Committee, Delhi Public Library and presently associated with Ministry of Culture, EZCC, CHD, CAPART, Ministry of Rural Development as Member/Chairman, departmental and research bodies. He is Executive Chairman, Research Foundation, International. He is also Visiting Professor-Coordinator of Indira Gandhi National Open University and associated with number of literary, research, academic and social organizations, in honorary capacity. He believes in the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam' (the world is one family) and 'Charaiveti' (everlasting journey).

My quest in search of new man and the nomadic culture is still alive but the circumstances do not allow me to travel any more. In my worldwide journeys, I met thousands of intellectuals, authors, social scientists, journalists and social activists. Many of them have become my friends.

In my childhood, I read some interesting books like 'How to Win Friends', 'Pushing to the Front' and 'Indian Scripture' including travelogues and nomadic literature which inspired me to travel in the Himalayas and tribal areas to study the people of India. Afterwards, my interest in the nomadic world increased and I visited number of countries to study Roma Gypsies of Indian origin. My journey started from the sociological research of Gaddi, Gujjar, Banjara and other nomads, semi-nomads and continued till today. Recently, I studied the descents of nomadic Hoons and Shakas and NRIs of course. A brief description of my life-long research is given in the first chapter of this book.

Needless to say that I used various research techniques including K. V. Young and my own to study the world of Nomads.

In this book, I have reproduced the relevant material from some of my earlier research works and various sources freely to compare my old and new researches.

I am grateful to the social scientists and writers from whose books and research works, I have tried to make my studies more authentic and interesting.

My thanks are due to Dr. Ian Hancock (USA(, Dr. Dauji Gupta, Dr. Sudha Om Dhingra (USA), Dr. V. P. Singh (USA) and Members of Vishwa Hindi Parishad, New York, Dr. Padmesh Gupta (U.K.), Dr. Krishna Kumar (U.K.), Dr. Divya Mathur (U.K.), Dr. S. P. Malhotra, Dr. S. P. Ruhela, Mr. Ranjit Naik, Dr. K. M. Metry, Dr. B. K. Ravi, Dr. R. K. Kaushik, Mr. Dev Bhardwaj, Prof. Yogendra Singh, Prof. I. P. Singh, Mr. J. Veerarahvan, Dr. J. K. Sharma and all the Associates of Research Foundation, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan and a number of organisations I am associated with. I have long list of friends including Mr. M. Bandopadhyay, Dr. Dharmir Mahajan, Dr. Kapse, I always remember.

I can never forget Dr. Eva Aradi (Hungary) and her husband Mr. Martin Aradi, Mr. Miklos Patrubeny (Hungary), Mrs. Katarzyna Polak (Germany) for their wholehearted support.

I am also thankful to my publishers Mr. A. J. Sehgal for reminding me to complete this work as early as possible. My regards and love to all.

Dr. S. S. Shashi