Throughout its long history, India has signified many things. To pilgrims from ancient China, India was the birthplace of the Buddha; to Alexander the Great it was a land of philosophers and indomitable, elephantine armies. At the height of the Mughal Empire in 1700, India meant wealth, boasting nearly 25 percent of the world economy, but then, under British rule, its economy declined.
In the nineteenth century, India’s identity continued to evolve, defined by stark contrasts of extravagant wealth and crippling poverty, symbolized by the Taj Mahal and devastating famines, maharajas, and untouchables. At the same time, the country was celebrated for its rich spirituality, from the many gods of Hinduism and Sufi saints to Buddhist philosophy, with towering figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore shaping its legacy.
Andrew Robinson incisively distills India’s many incarnations, from the remarkably advanced cities of the early Indus Valley to the world’s largest democracy. Anyone curious about its past, present, or future will find this a fascinating introduction.
Author: Andrew Robinson
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Published: 05/13/2025
Series: Short History
Pages: 224
Weight: 0.48lbs
Size: 7.87h x 5.12w x 0.79d
ISBN: 9780500298251
Language: English
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.