Penguin History of Early India

BY THE WINNER OF THE KLUGE PRIZE FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT 2008. A definitive account and ready reference of ancient Indian history. The Penguin History of Early India--a complete rewrite of Romila Thapar's A History of India (Vol. 1)--brings to life thousands of years of India's precolonial history: its prehistoric beginnings; the great cities of the Indus civilization; the emergence of mighty dynasties such as the Mauryas Guptas and Cholas; the teachings of the Buddha; the creation of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana; and the evolution of regional cultures.. In exploring subjects as diverse as marriage class art erotica and astronomy Thapar provides an incomparably vivid and nuanced picture of India creating a rich mosaic of diverse kingdoms landscapes languages and beliefs. As she explains how the interpretations of early Indian history have changed in the last half-century Thapar offers fresh readings and raises new questions.