Can Indian civilization be compared to a thousand-branched tree? What have been its outstanding achievements and its impact on the world? These are some of the questions this book asks. But it also deals with issues confronting more and more Indians caught in an identity crisis: What does it mean to be Indian? What is specific to the worldview developed by Indian culture? How has it dialogued with other cultures? Is it built on durable foundations, or is it little more than colourful religiosity and quaint but outdated customs? And what are the meaning and application of secularism and tolerance in the Indian context? The French-born author, who has been living in India for 33 years, argues that Indian culture is not some exotic relic of the past, but a dynamic force that still has a role to play in defining India's identity and cohesion, and in proposing solutions to today's global challenges. Written in a crisp and engaging style, this thought-provoking volume challenges received ideas on India's culture and invites us to think afresh. Can Indian civilization be compared to a thousand-branched tree? What have been its outstanding achievements and its impact on the world? These are some of the questions this book asks. But it also deals with issues confronting more and more Indians caught in an identity crisis: What does it mean to be Indian? What is specific to the worldview developed by Indian culture? How has it dialogued with other cultures? Is it built on durable foundations, or is it little more than colourful religiosity and quaint but outdated customs? And what are the meaning and application of secularism and tolerance in the Indian context? The French-born author, who has been living in India for 33 years, argues that Indian culture is not some exotic relic of the past, but a dynamic force that still has a role to play in defining India's identity and cohesion, and in proposing solutions to today's global challenges. Written in a crisp and engaging style, this thought-provoking volume challenges received ideas on India's culture and invites us to think afresh. -- Provided by publisher.

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).

Gain insights into Indian Way-of-Life and Enjoy Your Travel to India This book helps you overcome the Indian cultural barriers and enjoy your India Travel. You get the best experience of Indian culture, through the character of John. This story of John makes you feel, relate, understand, experience the way Indians live. If you are traveling to India, this book will help you a lot in getting along with Indians and enjoying India. It takes you through the real-life situations of India. Everything that you need to know to understand the customs, traditions and rituals of India is presented in this book. The various aspects of Indian Culture are explained in a rational & experiential way. This book vividly presents the situations and scenarios that John has faced. "John returns to America, after six months of stay in India, as a positively transformed person. His relationship with his live-in girlfriend changes for better. He recounts all that he experienced during his stay in India and the insights he got." This book goes beyond the typical dos & don'ts. It provides an insight into the practicality of rituals; and into the typical life philosophy of Indians - including the way Indians look at life and happiness. It helps you understand the psyche of Indians and provides explanation for all that behavior that is unique to Indians such as: * The special ways of greeting each other * The restrictions on physical touch between the two genders * The superstitious beliefs about common phenomenon such as sneezing * The bizarre behavior of praying to a plant such as 'Tulasi' & treating animals as Gods e,g Cows * The eating habits * The restrictions on public display of affection (PDA) * Leaving footwear out before entering important places * The complex & primeval rituals performed at different life events, including at the time of death * The invasion of privacy * The disregard for Queue system * Sharing of food, and embarrassing upmanship to pay bills * The close family ties * The concept of arranged marriage * Existence of innumerable Gods and ever growing list of them * The Caste system and Reservations * The scriptures & the Hindu philosophical concept of Karma.....much more Take this virtual tour with John and Enjoy India!

Indian culture is admired and respected all over the world for its depth. This book features in simple terms, the various aspects of this rich spiritual culture.

Heir to a diverse array of traditions, the Indian subcontinent boasts customs that are distinguished by a constant juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern. The omnibus culture that has resulted from a rich history reflects an accommodation of ideas from across the globe and over time. This inviting narrative examines the tapestry of major events and beliefs that imbue everyday Indian life with vitality, and it presents the remarkable achievements in writing and the arts that have influenced individuals throughout the world.

A wide-ranging and truly interdisciplinary guide to understanding the relationship between India's colonial past and globalized present.

This is a practical book on Indians psychology, their culture and how to bridge the communication gap between India and the West. It is based on real life experiences and will help you to become more effective while doing business with Indians. About the author: Mr Subodh Gupta born and brought up in India, has worked for about 12 years as an Entrepreneur, an Engineer, a guest professor to various MBA schools, a training consultant for The Times of India Group in India and about 3 years in the UK as a freelance trainer and consultant.