The book presents a lucid survey of major developments in the ancient and early medieval periods of Indian history. It discusses issues like the antiquity and authorship of the Harappan civilization, the original home of the Aryans and the salient features of their life, the emergence of caste system and the process of state formation culminating in the establishment of the Maurya Empire. Challenging the stereotype of an ‘unchanging’ India and the myth of the ‘golden age’, the book not only underlines the changes in its social structure over centuries but also devotes much space to India’s contact with the outside world leading to the enrichment of its culture. Moreover, it pays adequate attention to the transformation of India from pre-feudal to feudal society and to the discussion of the contours of feudal culture. Throughout the book, emphasis has been laid on elements of change and continuity and the early historical developments have been examined from the vantage point of the present, resulting inevitably in a criticism of those who try to locate a cloud cuckoo land in the past and vindicating a critical understanding of popular misconceptions. Written in the author’s characteristically telling style, Early India: A Concise History is an indispensable reading for those interested in acquiring familiarity with different facets of early Indian history and culture.
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