Ceremonie qui s’observe a la Naiss…

C.18th engraving of Indian Banians ceremonies from Denis Diderot’s, Encyclopaedia.  The Bania’s, (from Sanskrit vāṇijya, “trade”), are an Indian caste consisting generally of moneylenders or merchants, found chiefly in northern and western India.

Diderot’s, Encyclopaedia was a monument in the history of European thought, undermining the ancien regime and heralding the French Revolution. It was a permanent source for all aspects of eighteenth century knowledge. It was edited by the brilliant Denis Diderot (1713-1784).

Provenance: Wigan Public Library (stamp)

References: Printing and the Mind of Man 200.