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This book outlines the origin and development of the practice of pilgrimage in India between AD 300 and 1200 and draws extensively on epigraphic and literary data particularly the Puranic corpus to delineate the growing popularity of the ritual, spatially and chronologically. ... Read more

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This comprehensive and updated textbook on the economic history of colonial India presents a lucid account of the factors that shaped economic change in colonial India in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. ... Read more

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To the modern world, the notions that freedom is an innate condition of human beings and that money possesses the power to bind people appear as natural facts. Bonded Histories traces the historical processes by which these notions became established as dominant discourses in India during colonial rule and continued into post-colonial India. Gyan Prakash locates the formulation of these discourses in the history of bonded labour in southern Bihar. He focuses on the emergence and subsequent transformation of the relationship of reciprocal power and dependence between landlords and labourers. The author explores the way in which these transformations were connected with broader shifts in the political economy of this part of the subcontinent; with the changing structures of agricultural production, land tenure and revenue demand; with local social hierarchies and the ideology of castes; and with Hindu cosmologies, spirit cults and their articulation in ritual practices. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

To the point, accurate and interesting to read
This book covers 3000 years of Indian history right from Aryan civilization to the latest happenings in India. It is very interesting to read and is unbiased and accurate. I haven't read a history book before with so much enthusiasm. ... Read more

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A survey of the countries of the Indian subcontinent coversgeography, demographics, agriculture, history, politics, culture, religion, arts, literature, and science. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good Introduction with photos, illustrations and facts
I was searching for a good book on India, with a historical bent, as a gift for a friend here in the US. This book provides a very good introduction with pictures, illustrations and relevant facts. The book provides a general outline of history and more importantly also introduces the reader to the general mindset & prevailing conditions ("cultural atlas") in India. It also provides some basic information on the states and neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan & Burma.

The special features sections focus on the things that people of India are most likely to be known about. Most people will not remember everything about a culture/nation. They will probably remember only the most interesting things and the special features of this book present these in a clear, understandable manner, i.e mostbly agreeable to people like me who have grown up in India.

Non-fiction books are hard to read for some people, these people are looking to escape from the ordinary. This book will interest the reader into reading & learning more about India. As for fantasy the readers might want to try tales, parables and comics like Jataka stories, Amar Chitra Katha...

Excellent reference book!
As an Indian, I'm wary when "outsiders" put together a book on my country, but this book is exceptional.It gives facts and general descriptions of anything and everything when one thinks of India.Lots ofpictures makes it an easy read.Worth every penny.This is the bookteachers in America should use when trying to give an overview on INDIA. ... Read more

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Contrary to popular belief, the capture of India was not accomplished by the British Army, but by the private armies of the East India Company, whose primary objective was the protection of their trading empire. Under the leadership of the legendary Robert Clive (founder of the East India Company) and Stringer Lawrence, this small force of mercenaries and adventurers grew in size and strength to eventually become an army larger than that of any European sovereign state. Highly disciplined and professional, it fought almost continuously for a century until the Great Mutiny of 1857 led to its disbandment and its troops passed into Crown service. One of the many British Army officers who fought with this force was Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. This is the fascinating history of the East India Company army, examining the many conflicts in which they fought, and their equipment and training, with its regiments of horse, foot and guns, which rivalled those of most European powers. The exotic uniforms combining traditional Indian and British dress are illustrated in detail and make for a wonderfully colorful account of a private band of adventurers that successfully captured the jewel of the British Empire. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

One of the most unusual , Colorful & Effective of Armies
If you are interested in the The Rise of the British Raj and its Mercenary Army. Then this slim volume is well worth the time and money. As usual with Osprey, their work usually is either so-so or is a hit out of the Stadium. This one is a home run. The text and the illustrations are 1st rate & well executed. ... Read more

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Selected articles introduce the Vajrayana through essays on the Nyingma lineage and 14 translations of short works by Nyingma masters. Ten articles by Tarthang Tulku relate the teacdhings to modern life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Mahayana view is all right here
This is an easy-to-read and engaging explanation of the Mahayana take on Early Buddhism. It combines the latest historical research on early Buddhist councils and philosophical developments with the traditional Tibetan explanations in a surprisingly seamless way. It has none of the ideologically driven, debilitating flaws of Soka Gakkai's History of Buddhism series. In short, it's a credit to the Tibetan Buddhist community and belongs in the home of both Tibetan families and historians.

A clear and detailed history
This is one of the most thorough overviews available on the history of Buddhism in India, the land of its birth and early development.Although it contains a wealth of information, it's quite readable and is well illustrated with maps that make it easy to follow the place names of ancient India and the development and spread of different schools of Buddhism in the various regions.I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in ancient India or in the roots of Buddhism, either from the standpoint of a practitioner or a historian. ... Read more

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An innovative remapping of empire, Imperial Connections offers a broad-ranging view of the workings of the British Empire in the period when the India of the Raj stood at the center of a newly globalized system of trade, investment, and migration. Thomas R. Metcalf argues that India itself became a nexus of imperial power that made possible British conquest, control, and governance across a wide arc of territory stretching from Africa to eastern Asia. His book, offering a new perspective on how imperialism operates, emphasizes transcolonial interactions and webs of influence that advanced the interests of colonial India and Britain alike. Metcalf examines such topics as law codes and administrative forms as they were shaped by Indian precedents; the Indian Army's role in securing Malaya, Africa, and Mesopotamia for the empire; the employment of Indians, especially Sikhs, in colonial policing; and the transformation of East Africa into what was almost a province of India through the construction of the Uganda railway. He concludes with a look at the decline of this Indian Ocean system after 1920 and considers how far India's participation in it opened opportunities for Indians to be a colonizing as well as a colonized people. ... Read more

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This is a book about the newness of old things. It concerns an oratorical revolution, a transformation of oratorical style linked to larger transformations in society at large. It explores the aesthetics of Tamil oratory and its vital relationship to one of the key institutions of modern society: democracy. Therefore this book also bears on the centrality of language to the modern human condition.

Though Tamil oratory is a relatively new practice in south India, the Dravidian (or Tamil nationalist) style employs archaic forms of Tamil that suggest an ancient mode of speech. Beginning with the advent of mass democratic politics in the 1940s, a new generation of politician adopted this style, known as "fine," or "beautiful Tamil" ( centamil), for its distinct literary virtuosity, poesy, and alluring evocation of a pure Tamil past.

Bernard Bate explores thecentamil phenomenon, arguing that the genre's spectacular literacy and use of ceremonial procession, urban political ritual, and posters, praise poetry are critical components in the production of a singularly Tamil mode of political modernity: a Dravidian neoclassicism. From his perspective, thecentamil revolution and Dravidian neoclassicism suggest that modernity is not the mere successor of tradition but the production of tradition, and that this production is a primary modality of modernity, a new newness-albeit a newness of old things.

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This book, edited by the well-known historian A. L. Basham, presents a comprehensive survey of Indian culture, covering such aspects as religion, philosophy, social organization, literature, art. architecture, music and science. It includes a special section dealing with the influence of Indian civilization on the rest of the world, as well as details of the political history of the region to provide a chronological framework for the non-specialist. Contributors include such eminent scholars as Radhakrishnan, Burrow, Das, and Spear. ... Read more

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THE VEDIC AGE

Let us imagine we are in a village of an Aryan tribe in the Eastern Panjab something more than thirty centuries ago. It is made up of a few large huts, round which cluster smaller ones, all of them rudely built, mostly of bamboo; in the other larger ones dwell the heads of families, while the smaller ones shelter their kinsfolk and followers, for this is a patriarchal world, and the housefather gives the law to his household. The people are mostly a comely folk, tall and clean-limbed, and rather fair of skin, with well-cut features and straight noses; but among them are not a few squat and ugly men and women, flat-nosed and nearly black in colour, who were once the free dwellers in this land, and now have become slaves or serfs to their Aryan conquerors. Around the village are fields where bullocks are dragging rough ploughs; and beyond these are woods and moors in which lurk wild men, and beyond these are the lands of other Aryan tribes. Life in the village is simple and rude, but not uneventful, for the village is part of a tribe, and tribes are constantly fighting with one another, as well as with the dark-skinned men who often try to drive back the Aryans, sometimes in small forays and sometimes in massed hordes. But the world in which the village is interested is a small one, and hardly extends beyond the bounds of the land where its tribe dwells. It knows something of the land of the Five Rivers, in one corner of which it lives, and something even of the lands to the north of it, and to the west as far as the mountains and deserts, where live men of its own kind and tongue; but beyond these limits it has no knowledge. Only a few bold spirits have travelled eastward across the high slope that divides the land of the Five Rivers from the strange and mysterious countries around the great rivers Ganga and Yamuna, the unknown land of deep forests and swarming dark-skinned men.

In the matter of religion these Aryans care a good deal about charms and spells, black and white magic, for preventing or curing all kinds of diseases or mishaps, for winning success in love and war and trade and husbandry, for bringing harm upon enemies or rivals--charms which a few centuries later will be dressed up in Rigvedic style, stuffed out with imitations of Rigvedic hymns, and published under the name of Atharva veda, "the lore of the Atharvans," by wizards who claim to belong to the old priestly clans of Atharvan and Angiras. But we have not yet come so far, and as yet all that these people can tell us is a great deal about their black and white magic, in which they are hugely interested, and a fair amount about certain valiant men of olden times who are now worshipped by them as helpful spirits, and a little about some vague spirits who are in the sun and the air and the fire and other places, and are very high and great, but are not interesting at all. ... Read more

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The most infamous of the trading companies established by the great European powers, the English East India Company was the world's greatest trading power. For more than two centuries, they dominated world trade, raised armies and demolished nations. Now comes this major new book--a surprise hit in England. Photos and maps. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Historical writing at its best!
To condense the history of the East India Company into one book is no meanfeat. To manage to do so in such an entertaining package is a remarkableachievement. The narrative reads like an adventure story and grips thereader from the opening pages. The author vividly captures the atmosphereof the various locations and brings the characters of the "HonourableCompany" and its merchant warriors to life. I read this book onholiday on the west coast of France. The sun was shining, the beachbeckoned and the surf was up. Sometimes even they had to wait.

Interesting, but Flawed
The Honorable Company is an interesting, but flawed book.

I found thesubject interesting, because it showed the evolution of a commercialenterprise into economic imperialism.The book also includes helpful maps.

However, I find fault in the presentation because it did not include abetter analysis of the effects of the trade patterns and technology on theCompany's business over time.Instead, the book was written more in the"name dropper" school of history.Almost as many questions arisefrom reading the book as were answered.

For example, vast sums werebeing made on voyages.What did a pound sterling buy?Were the amountsquoted in the book of current value or then value?What were thecharacteristics of the frigates and Indiamen plying the eastern traderoutes?Charts showing tonnage overtime and sailing's would have beenappreciated.

This book unsuccessfully attempts to many views of theCompany at once.Unfortunately, it does it by listing hundreds of names. The policies of Clive and Hastings get almost as many words as an oftenwidowed factor's daughter.I might recommend this book as a supplement toreaders interested in economic history, but not as a primary source.

Interesting, but Flawed
The Honorable Company is an interesting, but flawed book.

I found thesubject interesting, because it showed the evolution of a commercialenterprise into economic imperialism.The book also includes helpful maps.

However, I find fault in the presentation because it did not include abetter analysis of the effects of the trade patterns and technology on theCompany's business over time.Instead, the book was written more in the"name dropper" school of history.Almost as many questions arisefrom reading the book as were answered.

For example, vast sums werebeing made on voyages.What did a pound sterling buy?Were the amountsquoted in the book of current value or then value?What were thecharacteristics of the frigates and Indiamen plying the eastern traderoutes?Charts showing tonnage overtime and sailing's would have beenappreciated.

This book unsuccessfully attempts to many views of theCompany at once.Unfortunately, it does it by listing hundreds of names. The policies of Clive and Hastings get almost as many words as an oftenwidowed factor's daughter.I might recommend this book as a supplement toreaders interested in economic history, but not as a primary source.

The embryonic basis of the English Speaking Empire - PERIOD.
This book beautifully reveals the nucleus of all that is present dayEngland, and illustrates the basis of the English Empire and the export ofthat philosophy to the USA. In short, this book exposes the foundations ofmodern day Anglo-Saxon economic imperialism. This is where it ALL started.From here you can go on to the books by Peter C Newman about the Hudson BayCompany, and more close to home, and equally fascinating, a wholeseries of books about the Great Game and Central Asia by Peter Hopkirk.From there..."Empires of the Monsoon" is great reading as isYounghusband and Rice's Burton. From here you have a great series of booksto read - but start with Keay's masterpiece. You'll say - why havent Iheard of this before. . . . .

Comment for researchers
This is one of the few books on the East India Company that devotes attention to what the author refers to as the Company's "Dark Ages," the early decades of the 18th century when the foundations for the "achievements" of men like Clive were being laid ... Read more

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The Mughals seized political power in north India in 1526 and became the most important artistically active Muslim dynasty on the subcontinent. In this richly illustrated work, Dr. Milo Beach shows how Mughal patronage of the arts was radically innovative for the Indian context and profoundly altered the character of painting in the Rajput Hindu areas of north India. He reveals the different styles and subjects of Mughal and Rajput painting and the interplay of the two traditions. Beach also explores the tolerance each showed toward outside influence and change, demonstrating a uniquely Indian attitude towards the arts. ... Read more

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The history of India is a story of many states and empires which begins in the third millennium BC with the Indus Valley civilization. The subsequent influx of pastoral nomads, first in a long series of invasions from the northwest that included the Moghuls nearly 3,000 years later, established the Vedic religious tradition. In a gradual assimilation of popular cults, formalization of the Sanskrit language, and the institution of caste, this tradition supplied the cohesion upon which a national consciousness, in its Western sense, is a comparatively recent grafting.

In modern times, two hundred years of British ascendancy were followed in the twentieth century by India taking its place among the nation-states of the modern world. For this revised edition, a new chapter by Dilip Hiro covers the events that have taken place in India from the 1980s to the present day. The enduring distinctiveness of India, its widely recognized but often bewildering "diversity of unity," emerges from these pages as a product of geographical simplicity and historical complexity. 186 illustrations and 4 maps. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Inaccurate and Misguiding
This book is not based on any historical research. It grossly misrepresents history of ancient India. AVOID.

Biased Presentation
Though the author clearly states that this book is a concise history of India, but readers still expect an impartial view of the history and some justice to the subject matter. This book has an almost clinical feel to it- very cut and dry. Emphasis has been placed on names, places and dates rather than the bigger picture, which might be expected of such a small book attempting to cover more than 5000 years of Indian history. Sometime rambling sometimes lucid text is densely written and drops subtle hints of British superiority.

I started reading the book and had not looked at the biography of the author. Almost 1/3rd of the way through the book, a clear pattern emerged wherein the author tried to project that much of what the world knows of India's glory is a result of British efforts. And how the British brought civility and culture to India. It also seemed that the image that the author projected of India was along the lines of what a British "sahib" may have thought of the locals. It was then that I read the author's biography and saw that he was Director of Counter-Propaganda to the Government of India. From the period when he served the government it is obvious that the author was not employed by Government of Independent India but the British Government ruling India (which technically speaking was also the Government of India).

I really feel that justice was not done to the subject matter. Maybe someone who is both- a patriotic Indian and a history buff- might enjoy some aspects of this book. An average reader would find the treatment of this subject poor (and boring) at worst and mediocre at best. I would not recommend this book.

Dry and Terse
Although the black and white photographs in the book were excellent, the context was dry and terse.Basically, the book was nothing more but a listing of dates and people. The author showed no creativity in making the history remotely interesting.

Photos were included that had no text related to them.Anyone who does not have previous knowledge of India's history would not comprehend why the photos were included.

Although I am an avid reader, I had to force myself to finish this book.

Indeed a concise history!
A scholarly concise history of India would best describe this book. It is well illustrated with numerous black and white photographs. An ideal book if you want a quick read on India and its history right from its origins. Though I have a 1979 edition published in 1991, the history 'ends' in the seventies. Despite this, Mr Watson has captured a fairly lucid panaromic view of Indian history spanning many centuries. He has documented the key events and milestones in Indian history and therefore the book serves the need of most who want key and basic information without detailed narration and evaluation. The writing style is simple and easy to read. Even young teenagers would be able to read and understand the flow of events especially the arrival and development of different cultures. Recommended reading especially for FBIs (foreign born Indians) who want to know more about their origins or be better able to relate to relatives and friends still on the Indian sub-continent! ... Read more

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The former Jewel in the Crown of the British Empire, India remains, by any measure, a major economic and political actor on the world scene. Without her extensive railway network—completed against all odds by her British colonial masters—it is impossible to imagine what might have become of the diverse lands and peoples of the subcontinent. These railway networks brought them together as a colony; these networks fostered the nationalism that would be Britain's downfall. This rail network both remade the physical landscape and brought social-cultural cohesion to a diverse and wide-ranging populace. It would be common rail travel that Gandhi would employ to reach the masses. From its romantic mystique to its dangerous reality, it is rail travel today that keeps vital social, cultural, economic and political forces moving.

India's railroad history serves as a unique lens to her larger story of triumph over adversity. By 1905, India had the world's fourth largest railway network—a position it retains in the early 21st century. The railroads were at the organizational and technological center of many of the inter-related economic, political, social, cultural, and ecological transformations that produced modern India through, and out of, its colonial past. In addition to this vast technical achievement, and (in keeping with the series focus), there is an equally important and wide-sweeping human-interest tale to be told with evocative vignettes of the triumph of the human spirit (one billion strong!) in the face of great adversity.

Customer Reviews (1)

Railroad history
I thought a good overview of contemporary railways in India but thought could have given the Brits more credit for building a universal system that really made possible a democratic India.Personally I have riden most of the system several times and am impressed with volume of passenger traffic butthought India made a mistake when so quickly converted to diesel instead of retaining steam locos which are labor intensive and just what India needs and invest their capital in other fields. ... Read more

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India Condensed is a book for anyone who needs a quick introduction to India. History, philosophy, religion, language, literature, arts and culture are all discussed in this lively and accessible text. More than a dry recitation of dates, names and events, the topics covered range from stories and legends to current facts and observations. Thousands of years of history, culture and civilization are distilled into one handy book for easy reference. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Outstanding job in presenting a chronological view of important events in 5000 years of Indian History
The author has done an outstanding job in presenting important facts and historical events in a very condensed form. Typically one would get lost trying to gather facts in the Internet. Even if one is able to gather specific information, one will not be able to establish connection from one event to the other, one century to the other. In this book, the author picks up a certain period, and continues the flow, and explains the gist of that period. I am glad I found this book. I now feel proud that I am getting good knowledge of Indian History. Book starts with Indus Valley Civilization, which started in 2800 BC. Mentions all important facts until India becomes republic. There are also sections related to Religion, Places, Inventions & Medicine and Folklore etc. Include Index as well, and Index is a huge plus. This reminded of most of the topics that I studied during my childhood in social studies and history subjects. I developed interest in knowing more about Indian history, freedom struggle, etc. I keep studying this book often.

Highly recommend this to anyone who is trying to get an overview of 5000 years of Indian History, in a chronological fashion.

Great Book on India for Indians living abroad and foreigners interested in India
This was a short & easy reading and covers a breadth of topics on India - from history, religion, art, etc. - maybe a little too much history over 5000 years.

I would recommend it to Indians living abroad, their children - who don't learn much about India in their schools in the US and foreigners who are interested in learning about India and/or planning to visit India. It is not a tour guide but provides a good background on India and it's culture.

While reading this book, I recollected some historical facts that I learnt in high school in Mumbai and also, gained some knowledge about my native country. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Translated by Daniélou's powerful rebuttal to the conventional view of India's history, which calls for a massive reevaluation of the history of humanity. *Explores historical occurrences from each major time period starting with the first appearance of man 30,000 years ago. *Couples the clarity and perspective of an outsider with the unique and specific knowledge of an insider. *By the internationally recognized Hindu scholar and translator of The Complete Kama Sutra (200,000 copies sold).

Alain Daniélou approaches the history of India from a new perspective-as a sympathetic outsider, yet one who understands the deepest workings of the culture. Because the history of India covers such a long span of time, rather than try to create an exhaustive chronology of dates and events, Daniélou instead focuses on enduring institutions that remain constant despite the ephemeral historical events that occur. His selections, synthesis, and narration create a thoroughly engaging and readable journey through time, with a level of detail and comprehensiveness that is truly a marvel.

Because of the continuity of its civilization, its unique social system, and the tremendous diversity of cultures, races, languages, and religions that exist in its vast territory, India is like a history museum. Its diverse groups maintained their separate identities and never fully supplanted the culture and knowledge of their predecessors. Even today one may encounter in India primitive Stone Age people whose technology has remained at what is considered prehistoric levels. Thus Daniélou's examination of India reveals not only the diversity and historical events and trends of that country, but also the history of all mankind. Through Daniélou's history of India we learn from whence we came, what we have discovered over the years in the fields of science, arts, technology, social structures, religions, and philosophical concepts, and what the future may hold for us. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Navigating the Indian labyrinth
This is an older history that innocently tells the tale of Indian religion unaware of the now politically correct viewpoints dominant that make discussion of Indian history controversial.
Danielou's history has its own scholary weaknesses, no doubt, but that should not drive away anyone who wants to get a hold of the simple and open clue to Indian historical culture and religion: in Danielou's rendering, before the debate over the historicity of the Aryan migration, we see the antiquity of the Indian tradition before the Aryan phase in the Dravidian cultures. That simple solution to what historians of Vedic Hinduism have turned into an insoluble mystery can lead the confused student to some clarity on Indian history, if he can evade some of the other questionable ideas that Danielou produces to embroider his simple solution to the basic questions. Either Vedism is the source of yoga or it is not, and if not where did it come from. Danielou provides the basic hints required to answer that question. His discussion of Shaivism, Jainism can help to resolve the hopeless quandary created by the misguided debate over the Aryan invasions.

Good but.....
An honest attempt by author to provide glimpse of Indian History. But the book is lacking in one big respect 'MAPS', we have this book on Indian History which discusses Indian history upto 6000 years back but has only two maps in the whole books. If you are not from India and are not versed with generic terms (used to describe states/area) then you should stay away from this book. Even if you are versed with Indian geography, you will still need access to couple of good maps to grasp authors point. Also there are no photographs in this book.

Recommended if you know Indian geography very well.

Lots of unsubstantiated opinions, not backed by facts - avoid this book
I was very disappointed in this book, as the author quite frequently adds unsubstantiated opinions and biases and cites them as fact. Those looking for a balanced and useful history of India should look elsewhere. Among my issues with the book: the author seems to dismiss any parts of Indian history he does not agree with and just ignores them (in one area, he says "From the moment when the Muslims reached India, its history has no further interest. It is a long and monotonous recital of murders massacres, plunder and destruction"; in another area, says "Hindu scholar looked upon Gandhi as a sort of Antichrist, and made thank-offerings when he was assasinated. But it was too late. while he was alive, none dared oppose his baneful influence."

religions, various conquest and independence!
I was keen to read a brief history of India before reading about the Bristish Raj. Most parts of India history are not very attractive for someone not very aware of it, and it is not a fault of the author but because most of that history are wars of conquest, from the Greek, Afghans, Arabs, Mongols and Europeans. The Arabs were particularly violent in its wars of domination, sacking India and leaving its people in impoverishment. Then, the last part of the book, and the most interesting for me, present the European involvement in India, first in search of trading and later, as a struggle for dominance of the country by the British, prior defeat of the French. The depiction of India independence is by far the best part of the book, succintly explaining the bloody division of India into a Muslim Pakistan and Hindu India and the influence of Ghandi in the liberation movement. Another thing that this book show is the evolution of the religions of India that are very interesting to know.

This book does not focus on any part of the history, so to get a deep knowledge of events like British conquest or Mahatma Ghandi, you need to find other sources. Finally, one important thing needed badly in this brief history are maps to follow the reading --- 3,5 stars!

6000 years and 6000 names
This book covers the thousands of rulers that have governed India and the thousands of battles its fought over 6000 years.And that's about it.There are a handful of pages covering Gandhi and then onwards until 1971, when the book really ends. It is a tedious read. Although the book has a publication date of 2003, the only addition since 1971 is a three page note by the editor providing a couple of updates. ... Read more

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Written over the span of a lifetime, this collection of S. Nurul Hasan's essays (edited and introduced by Satish Chandra) covers a wide range of topics: historiography and new sources; state, religion, and the ruling class; and urban and rural life. The various essays demonstrate Hasan's varied interests and the evolution of his ideas on medieval Indian history. Satish Chandra's introduction familiarizes the reader with his personality, achievements, and monumental contribution to Indian history-writing. The section on historiography deals with the manner in which Indian history has been distorted, both in the past, by British imperial historians, and in more current times by Indian communal historians. It also raises the problem of nationalities in medieval India, once a subject of intense debate. Part II of the volume deals with the state, religion, and ruling classes. It offers a new interpretation of Akbar's religious views, and also includes a number of articles on the crucial role of zamindars in medieval India. There is also a well-researched essay on the theory of the Nur Jahan Junta. The third section of the book examines urban and rural life in the period and includes essays on agrarian production and prices of food grain in the territory of Amber. The final section looks at some important sources of late Mughal history, and also considers the Afghan-Mughal conflict. ... Read more