From its inception, Hindu religious thought has been deeply concerned with the idea of femininity. In Women in the Hindu World, Mandakranta Bose encourages readers to develop and nurture their own understanding of the life of a woman as a Hindu. The chapters of the book proceed both historically and thematically, exploring abstract Hindu philosophical concepts about women as well as the concrete worldly conditions of the lives they lead, from the earliest stages of Hindu society to the present, marking through time the evolving religious roles and social status of Hindu women. Hindu women have consistently found resources in their faith for claiming selfhood, both within their religion and in society. Within the home, women are the keepers of the family's religious rites. Outside the home, they worship through poetry, painting, dance, and music. Like their peers around the world, modern Hindu women have fought and worked together to claim decisive roles in shaping their own lives, while maintaining their faith and culture. Examining the place of women in Hindu religion, culture, and society, Women in the Hindu World charts the profound impact of Hinduism on the life experiences of women.