In the present work some of the best minds of the Indological world discuss the formation and evolution of the ideals and patterns of Indian society. Dedicated to Professor S. R. Goyal who was Professor and Head, Department of History, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, the work throws welcome light on the various fundamental questions related with the social and ideological foundations of Indian culture, a subject which was so dear to Professor Goyal. It has been enriched, among others, by the scholarly contributions of such eminent historians of India as Professors G.C. Pande (Allahabad), R. S. Sharma (Patna), Irfan Habib (Aligarh), Romila Thapar, Kesavan Veluthat and Kumkum Roy (New Delhi), R. Champakalakshmi (Chennai), S. N. Dube (Jaipur), K.K. Thaplyal (Lucknow), T. P. Verma and M. V. Singh (Varanasi). The volume also contains an Introduction on Professor Goyal’s own contribution to the study of ancient Indian social institutions and ideas by the editor. It is earnestly hoped that it will be received warmly by scholars interested in the history of Indian society.