The author, a historian of repute, confronts important issues of Indian history in this classic work. He raises such questions as “Was there an Aryan Invasion of India in the past?”, “Is the caste system a bane or a boon?”, “Did Indian women enjoy equal rights in ancient times?”, “Was Democracy an alien concept to Vedic Indians?”, “Why Buddhism became extinct in the country of its origin?”, “What is India’s lasting contribution to the field of Science, Mathematics, Astronomy, Medicine, Chemistry, Metallurgy, etc.?”, “Was Indian Culture greatly impacted by foreign religions?”, “How did India influence its neighbouring Eastern and Western countries?”, “Is Sanskrit only an off-shoot of the Indo-European Languages Group?”, “What was the scale of the social, economic and political implosion detonated by two centuries of British Colonial Rule?”. The author has answered the above vexing questions based on an intensive study of Archaeology, Epigraphy, Numismatics, original records in different languages and the travelogues of foreign visitors.(Translator’s Note).

One of India's preeminent historians examines the role of history in contemporary society. Every society has its cultures: patterns of how people live and express themselves and how they value objects and thoughts. Recently, there has been considerable debate about what constitutes Indian culture and heritage and about how much diversity those categories ought to contain. Romila Thapar begins by explaining how definitions of culture have changed over the past three centuries. She suggests that cultures can be defined as a shared understanding of selected objects and thoughts from the past, but this understanding is often stripped of its historical context. Thapar touches on a few of these illuminating contexts, such as social discrimination, the role of women, and attitudes toward science and knowledge. This thought-provoking book is sure to spark productive debate about some current shibboleths in India's culture.

The second, updated edition of Indian Heritage, Art and Culture by Madhukar Kumar Bhagat is presented in an all new, color format to enhance the visual pleasure of reading. The rich tapestry of India's cultural achievements, presented in a chronological order (Ancient, Medieval and Modern) would be of immense help for aspirants of the UPSC and state Public Service Commission examinations and for general readers. How will this book help you? - Easy and structured plan on how to approach the topic for the Preliminary and Main examinations - Events, topics and issues arranged in a chronological order (Ancient, Medieval and Modern India) - Important topics to focus at the end of each chapter - Practice questions for Preliminary and Main examinations - Colourful supportive illustrations Highlights - Indian Heritage, Art and Culture: How to Approach - Indus Valley Civilization and Harappan Culture - Hinduism - Buddhism - Temples and Architecture in Ancient and Medieval India - Bhakti Movement and Sufism - Medieval Age Architecture: Palaces, Forts etc. - Medieval India: Other Art Forms - Medieval India: Literature - Medieval India: Music - Socio-Religious Reforms and Reformers - Modern India: Paintings - Modern India: Music - Modern India: Dances - Modern India: Languages and Literature - Modern India: Architecture - Indian Theatre and Cinema - Cultural Heritage and UNESCO

Every society has its cultures: the patterns of how people live and express themselves and how they value objects and thoughts. What constitutes Indian heritage and cultures has been much discussed. Romila Thapar begins by explaining how the definitions of the concept of culture have changed since the last three centuries and hence require added attention. Cultures when defined by drawing on selected items and thoughts from the past, remain relatively unknown, except to a few. Yet each has a context and meaning relating them to the past and to their significance as a contemporary presence. Contexts, often regarded as unconnected to culture, can to the contrary, be quite illuminating. Thapar touches on a few of these, ranging from objects that identify cultures, to ideas that shape cultures, such as social discrimination, the role of women and attitudes to science and knowledge. Thought-provoking books such as this spark debate and the debate may lay to rest some current shibboleths about India’s culture. --