Hindu research/ Indian culture?

I'm writing a novel taking place in India (probably near the varanasi region) in 1940s. I need to figure out: 1. what countries were showing up in India then (ie. I know Britain was there) 2. What was the treatment of women like, especially with fathers? 3. How about relationships between siblings especially brother and sister? 4. What are common jobs? 5. Could a woman at that time have been an artist, a dancer? 6. What were affluent Indian families like? 7. What do people look like ethnically from around the varanasi area? 8. What sort of educational opportunities were there in that time? 9. Can human figures be represented in art in 1940s India/Hinduism? 10. Are there honor killings in INdia/Hinduism and who completes them? 11. What is varanasi like in general? I thank you sooooooo much for your help. I'm willing to just read and research, but I don't even know what sources to consult!