Sociology is the youngest of all social sciences. Rural sociology is an important branch of sociology-as a major part of population in most of the countries is rural. The present encyclopaedia which is substantially based on authoritative writings of eminent sociologists in the field is a veritable mine of information. Volumewise organisation of the encyclopaedia is: Rural Sociology: An Introduction; Social Stratification in Rural Society; Rural Industrial Sociology ;Transformation of Rural Society; and Social Inequalities in Rural Areas.