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Synopsis This is a pioneering in-depth study of the life and culture of the Kiratas from the prehistoric age down to the end of the twentieth century A.D. The author has exhaustively dealt with their origin, antiquity, identification and expansion within the geographical limits of ancient Bharatavarsa and colonization of different parts of the country. It covers their primitive life and culture, social and, economic condition, policy, administration, religion, philosophy, art, language, literature, and cultural contacts with different Aryan and non-Aryan social groups. The Kirata habitats in janapadas in the epics and Puranic texts, their kingdoms, principalities, urban culture, subjugation by the contemporary rulers, dynastic rule in northern India and Nepal, the role in every period of Indian history, based on a large number of rare sources have received extensive and deep attention of the researcher-author. The analysis of the subject is subtle and penetrating. The author has brought to light several valuable facets relating to the subject concerned. The work is based on interdisciplinary research. The author has critically examined the relevance of historical, anthropological and linguistic data. The work is of immense academic value not only for historians but also for anthropologists and linguists.