ABNP

Nagar and the Pursuit of Excellence by P M. Bakshi (New Delhi) Introductory: There are certain communities or families who win a place in history and somehow stand apart from the rest of society. If Boston has its "Boston Brah mins", Gujarat has its "Nagars". The history and culture of Nagars and their contribution to the totality of India's heri tage in the regions where they have sett led is a legitimate subject for investiga tion by those interested in sociology and Perhaps, in the present age of equality, one must hasten to exp- lain that undertaking such a study should not necessarily imply any superiority complex.

There are adequate reasons justifying such a study. Till recently, persons who belonged to this community had an element of uniqueness in their language, bearing, appearance and social customs - a uniqueness which is still be- ing largely maintained