The volume uses field investigations to shed light on the inhabitants of Kinnaur's socioeconomic and cultural lives, including a study of their customs and architectural legacy. It describes the indigenous deities ('Shu' on rathang or the Shu Republic) who rule and run the ethnic communities' administration, as well as the development administration and democratic set-up, from Panchayats upwards.

It is based on actual field research of the public activities of the Shu Republic in 15 deshang or villages of Kinnaur, as well as the U-Khyang and Dhang-U-Khyang, i.e. In some deshang, there is a flower festival and a Dakhrain festival.. It describes numerous architectural patterns of native residential buildings and provides more than a glance into their administrative set-up, customary rules, and customs with regard to the deshang

The book underlines the importance of taking the proper conservation steps to protect Kinnaur's cultural legacy. Scholars and students interested in the study of India's cultural heritage will find it useful.

P.S. Negi Loktus, IAS (retd), is a Himachal Pradesh native who grew up in the Trans-Himalayan District of Kinnaur. He served as Principal Secretary to the Government of Himachal Pradesh in areas such as Culture and Language and Education during his time in the lAS.