History of India: An Enthralling Overview of Significant Civilizations, Empires, Events, People, and Religion (Asia)

I read this book in its entirety on a flight to India for the first time. I wasn't willing to read the other 500-plus-page histories available. It is an overview, but it gave me good context for the historical sights I saw on my tour. I even read relevant passages from it aloud to members of my tour group, and they said they wished they had read the book before the tour.

I enjoyed reading a learning more about the History of India. It is easy to read and follow. I liked it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This fantastic book traces the magnificent achievements of India and its diverse people. It is a well-researched book.

A captivating history of India from its very beginning to the present day, quite an enjoyable experience this book is highly recommended

Easy to read and concise.

In this book I learned - India has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. From ancient civilizations to colonialism and independence, the country has undergone significant changes over time. Here is a brief history of India from 2600 BCE to 1970 CE in 500 words. 2600 BCE to 1800 BCE: This period marked the rise of the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the earliest civilizations in the world. The people of this civilization were skilled in trade, agriculture, and urban planning, as evidenced by the well-planned cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. 1800 BCE to 600 BCE: During this time, the Indo-Aryans migrated to India from Central Asia and brought with them the Sanskrit language and Vedic culture. The Vedas are a collection of ancient texts that are the foundation of Hinduism, the dominant religion in India. 600 BCE to 320 CE: This period saw the rise of several powerful empires, including the Mauryan Empire under Emperor Ashoka, who is known for his policies of non-violence and religious tolerance. The Gupta Empire also flourished during this time, known for its contributions to science, art, and literature. 320 CE to 1200 CE: This era saw the emergence of several kingdoms and dynasties, including the Chola Dynasty in the south and the Rajput kingdoms in the north. Islam also began to spread in India during this time, leading to the creation of the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century. 1200 CE to 1600 CE: During this period, the Mughal Empire, a Muslim dynasty, ruled over India. Under the Mughals, India saw significant advancements in art, architecture, and literature. The Taj Mahal, one of the most iconic structures in the world, was built during this time. 1600 CE to 1857 CE: This era saw the rise of the British East India Company, which gradually gained control over large parts of India. The company's rule was characterized by economic exploitation and political oppression, leading to widespread discontent among the Indian population. 1857 CE to 1947 CE: The Indian Rebellion of 1857 marked a turning point in India's history, as it led to the end of the East India Company's rule and the beginning of direct British rule over India. The Indian National Congress, founded in 1885, became the dominant political force advocating for Indian independence. 1947 CE to 1970 CE: India gained independence from British rule in 1947, and Jawaharlal Nehru became the country's first prime minister. India's post-independence period was characterized by social and economic reforms, including the abolition of the caste system and the implementation of land reforms. The country also faced significant challenges, including the partition of India and Pakistan, the Sino-Indian War, and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. This book is a great study guide to a land few Westerners get to visit.

I was impressed by the scope of this look and the research which has gone into it. The beginning of the India history starts in the Indus River valley and from there moves east into the subcontinent. India has had a rich history of civilizations which have given to the world much. When studying history I have heard terms such as the Punjab and the Gupta Empire but have only related them as isolated events or regions of India. This book has put them into perspective both in time and importance in Indian history. The many empires that have grown up through the history of India have shown a high level of civilization and some have even left organizational judicial and religious precidents which are followed worldwide. Several of the major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism who all had their beginnings in India. The Sikh movement has been both a religions and political movement for change in India. Because India has more than 1/4 of the total population of the world and has a major influence on the global economy it is important that we understand the makeup of the society in India. This book will help in a great way to understand both how the Indian society grew to be what it is and how they became such a world economic power. As a former world history teacher I highly recommend this book for those who are looking to understand world economics and the society of India. The book is easy to read and understand.

This is a photocopy of a presumably out of copyright book which was purchased and reprinted. The paper is so thin you can see the words on the facing page so you would have to read it with a piece of white paper behind it. Overall terrible quality.

Good reading

Love this series of books & it makes learning really interesting & fun for the children in the family. A must have in my opinion.

Haven't read this book myself bought it as a gift for an elderly gentleman who said it is a very interesting book & he enjoyed reading it