A HISTORY OF SOUTH INDIA (OIP): From Prehistoric Times To the Fall of Vijayanagar Paperback – 1 June 1997

Very well written book about little known dynasties of southern India. The Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas are generally a footnote in most history books. But this book is well researched and very informative. The author's perspective and views are very interesting and readable . A very important addition to the books on the history of India

One of the most comprehensive and voluminous books on South India history. Traces history from Stone age to Vijayanagar empire. Vedic and Later Vedic period which usually has many legends associated with it are explained and done away with. This book gives details about major dynasty of that time like Satavahanas, Pallavas conflict with Chalaukyas, rise of Cholas and its conflict with Western Chalukyas. Emergence of Pandya, Hoysala, Bahmani and Vijayanagara empire. Later kingdoms has more information when compared with earlier ones. Writing does not sit on a single empire and jumps between various empire ruling various parts of South India at that time explaining the cause of the conflict between them. It looks like that all the empires were constantly in war with other with help of chieftains and martial alliances. It also give account on social life, economy, polity, trade at those times. Many better known facts as of today like Karikalan's construction of Grand Anaicut is being mentioned as irrigation works. No such pride is blatantly expressed.Maps could have been more legible. Usually there is only one map for a whole chapter and it is not easy to locate places. May be the other book "Illustrated History" may be updated on this front. Many place names has evolved since the time the book was written. But googling usually helps one with that.If you are South India you will be surprised to see many small places nearby associated with much history.

The media could not be loaded. Content wise I don't complain,paper quality and font are good,every chapter has dynasty's flow charts with detailed information , TELUGU regional history is a bit less focused compared to others,only 2 maps given.some 10 photos are so given that too in fullpage pale worn shaddy black and white tone.diagrams,maps,pictures in them are black and white,and that no proper printing,texts on maps are not legible or even visible to read with a magnifying glass.

This book on South Indian History (SIH) by Prof. Neelakanta Shastriji is a highly comprehensive treatise on SIH.. As such, since most history books are written by North Indian Historians the SIH never got its prominance in the holistic picture of Indian historical narrative. This void has been filled by Prof. Shastri.A good reading with clear and lucid language. The South India...meaning all the dynasties that ruled the land mass below vindyhyas has been covered in this book.Small drwaback, the no. of llustrations like maps and pics are not adequate..

This is a classic . Excellent resource material for all history lovers .

I had always longed to read this masterpiece and there she is. A must read for a South Indian fanatic.

this book tells the history of tamilnadu from ancient history till upto 1640-ish that is till the end of viayanagar empire. the history till the year 1000 is a kind of mentioning names and years and you wn't remember much except the name of empires( kingdoms). i coudn't blame the author since nobody knows much about what happened at that time. but from the start of 1300 ( time of vijayanagar empire) the history is explained very beautifully in a continuous cause and event manner. trust me you will like this portion. My favourite person in this book is krishnadeva raya ( 1509 - 1529) who is very successful in his military carreer and also garners the respect of his countrymen, he also keeps corruption at bare minimum and keeps bandits at check. And of course i forget to mention that all of those who have watched the movie dasavathaaram ( dasavathaar) would know that the statue of vishnu was thrown in the sea, this very event is actually mentioned in this book written in 1950s'( the statue was restored to its postion in the same temple by ramaraya of vijaynagar empire- also mentioned in this book)

Original copy sold by "World Book Depot"