The document provides an introduction to the tabla, a traditional North Indian percussion instrument. It discusses the origin of the tabla in India in the late 18th century. It describes the main parts of the tabla and basic strokes played on each drum. It also outlines the five main gharanas or styles of tabla playing that developed in cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Farrukhabad, Banaras and Punjab. Finally, it provides brief biographies of two famous 20th century Indian tabla players, Ustad Zakir Hussain and Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, and some of their major accomplishments.