Dressing and Hair-styling in Ancient India

The first step in the march from barbarism to civilization is indicated by the dress of a nation. Climatic and other causes, no doubt, influence the nature of dressing-up, but no race can said to have emerged from the grossest barbarism, or the most primitive simplicity, which has not risen to something more substantial, ample, and artificial, than the wardrobe. The Hindus seem to have made substantial progress in this regard at the very early period in their history. The art of dressing-up, the use of cosmetics, hairstyling appropriate to the season and occasion were all quite well known, and have been documented in this book. The author has provided copious and authentic references to the original Sanskrit texts to illustrate the high point to which Indian civilization attained in this respect.