India being one of the oldest and greatest civilizations of the world, has a history magnificently enormous than your school history books. It’s near to impossible to chronically record everything from the Paleolithic Age to India today. Historical books are often debated for their subjectivity, and they can be bewildering. So If you’re a history enthusiast who’s looking forward to diving deep into Indian history, we’ve gathered a list of some notable historical books that will help you with a comprehensive understanding of our complicated past.
The Discovery of India (1946)
The Discovery of India by Jawaharlal Nehru is a book that covers India’s origin from the Vedic age to British rule. Nehru wrote this book while he was incarcerated by the British Government for taking part in the ‘Quit India Movement’. The television series “Bharat Ek Khoj” was inspired by this intriguing book. The Discovery of India, artistically written in an autobiographical tone with a blend of facts, ideas and opinions, is a worth-reading book that will give you a glimpse into India’s extensive history, philosophy and diverse culture.
The Wonder that Was India (1954)
This historic book by Arthur Llewellyn Basham is another book that sheds light on Indian history. If you’re looking forward to learn about the aspects of life rather than just the period, this book will definitely quench your thirst. From Indus Valley Civilisation to the 7th century, the book extensively covers various topics like the evolution of religions and philosophies, the social condition of women, different art forms, methods of warfare, economic life, literature, etc..
The Last Mughal (2006)
The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty by William Dalrymple is a book that will tell you the story of the tragic fate that led to the ignominious end of the Mughal dynasty. This book explores the political and cultural clashes that happened with the fading of the once-glorious-and-mighty Mughal Empire. The book mainly revolves around the Sepoy Mutiny and the last Mughal dynasty, Bahadur Shah Zafar.
India After Gandhi (2007)
India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha is a book that elaborately explores the history of India starting from independence. Extensively covering topics like the decolonization of India, the partition that led to many brutal movements, the drafting of the Indian constitution, the financial crisis of 1991, the ruling of the Indian National Congress the condition of India under the current ruling party, BJP.
