To paraphrase a wise observation - we will only know where we are heading if we know where we have come from - is in part the inspiration for this series of national histories. In addition to that understanding, it was the conviction of series editor, Justin Wintle, that increasing globalization makes it ever more essential to understand our own history and the history of other nations, neighbouring or worlds away. This text provides a clear and concise overview of India's often tortuous political narrative, while providing in-depth information on the country's ancient and complex cultures. Covering the history of India from the Indus Valley Civilization to present day, its continuous time-line is complemented with sidebars on the Bhagvad Gita, Hinduism, the Taj Mahal, the Nehru-Gandhi famiy and a host of other topics.
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About the Author
Dilip Hiro is a prolific and widely admired author of books about the Middle East and other topics.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
The small size of this book, and a chornological organisation of key events makes it a very handy reference tool to India's history, especially for last 2000 years or so. You could also carry it around and dip into it whenever you have the time.
But you also need to be careful. The presentation is out of touch with archaelogical findings and interpretations of the last 50 years or so. For instance, it refers to Aryan invasion theory, which has been abandoned by every historian, because there is no evidence of a massacre at the sites. The extent of the Sindhu-Saraswati civilation (Indus Civilation), 2.5 million square kilometres, mapped by the ASI is not mentioned.
It also makes some religious booboos. For instance, talking of the Shiva Linga, it tells us that Hindus worshipped a 'phallus' at Somnath. Shiva Linga actually refers to an oblong stone, which symolises Shiva, as any Hindu scriputre will tell you.
So buy it, but read it with caution.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2.7 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must buy!
Jun 7 2005
By Williams Kumar
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Though the Rough Guide to India maintains the Aryan Invasion theory, the rest of it is a tribute to the study of India. Being Indian means that I belong to a people who have existed, in one form or another, for over 5,000 years of known history. Though invaders and new religious have come and left their mark on my homeland, India is always India and has shown that it will change and adapt.
The Rough Guide to India displays this complex history in a easy to follow format, as well as focusing on key peoples, subjects, and events. Excellent as stepping stool for further research or for learning about Indian History for the first time.
The Rough Guide to India displays this complex history in a easy to follow format, as well as focusing on key peoples, subjects, and events. Excellent as stepping stool for further research or for learning about Indian History for the first time.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Neat and useful, but out of date
Sep 24 2003
By Sanjay Agarwal
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
The small size of this book, and a chornological organisation of key events makes it a very handy reference tool to India's history, especially for last 2000 years or so. You could also carry it around and dip into it whenever you have the time.
But you also need to be careful. The presentation is out of touch with archaelogical findings and interpretations of the last 50 years or so. For instance, it refers to Aryan invasion theory, which has been abandoned by every historian, because there is no evidence of a massacre at the sites. The extent of the Sindhu-Saraswati civilation (Indus Civilation), 2.5 million square kilometres, mapped by the ASI is not mentioned.
It also makes some religious booboos. For instance, talking of the Shiva Linga, it tells us that Hindus worshipped a 'phallus' at Somnath. Shiva Linga actually refers to an oblong stone, which symolises Shiva, as any Hindu scriputre will tell you.
So buy it, but read it with caution.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Misinformation
Aug 10 2008
By S. Kamath
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This book is interesting as it reviews much of Indian history and often makes factual errors and incorrect conclusions. Some of these are mentioned in the other reviews. Another example is when the author discusses the linguistic term "inflective language" referring to Sanskrit grammar. He does not understand that in this context "inflection" does not refer to change in pitch or loudness BUT rather to changes in the forms of words such as suffixes. A little research would have avoided this ridiculous error. Many other similar errors abound in this text. The format of the book is very nice however, with a chronological theme which unfortunately includes the defunct Aryan invasion theory and unproven conclusions on the so called Indus Valley civilization. The book is written from a superficial nonscholarly amalgam of facts, fiction, misunderstanding, ignorance and some nonsense. I would not recommend this book to anyone who does not have a firm knowledge of Indian history, religions, linguistics, or politics as it is easy to become misinformed. It does have a very pretty cover!
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Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews
2.7 out of 5 stars
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