A Brief History of India [Hardcover]

Alain Dani?lou (Author), Kenneth F. Hurry (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0892819235 | ISBN-13: 978-0892819232 | Publication Date: February 11, 2003 | Edition: 1

Dani鬯u's powerful rebuttal to the conventional view of India's history, which calls for a massive reevaluation of the history of humanity

• Explores historical occurrences from each major time period starting with the first appearance of man 30,000 years ago

• Couples the clarity and perspective of an outsider with the unique and specific knowledge of an insider

• By the internationally recognized Hindu scholar and translator of The Complete Kama Sutra (200,000 copies sold)

Alain Dani鬯u approaches the history of India from a new perspective--as a sympathetic outsider, yet one who understands the deepest workings of the culture. Because the history of India covers such a long span of time, rather than try to create an exhaustive chronology of dates and events, Dani鬯u instead focuses on enduring institutions that remain constant despite the ephemeral historical events that occur. His selections, synthesis, and narration create a thoroughly engaging and readable journey through time, with a level of detail and comprehensiveness that is truly a marvel.

Because of the continuity of its civilization, its unique social system, and the tremendous diversity of cultures, races, languages, and religions that exist in its vast territory, India is like a history museum. Its diverse groups maintained their separate identities and never fully supplanted the culture and knowledge of their predecessors. Even today one may encounter in India primitive Stone Age people whose technology has remained at what is considered prehistoric levels. Thus Dani鬯u's examination of India reveals not only the diversity and historical events and trends of that country, but also the history of all mankind. Through Dani鬯u's history of India we learn from whence we came, what we have discovered over the years in the fields of science, arts, technology, social structures, religions, and philosophical concepts, and what the future may hold for us.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Our debt to Dani鬯u's scholarship and humanity is immeasurable."
(?The Times Literary Supplement )

"A synthesis of events and a survey of the development of India's civilization, social system, and diversity of cultures."
(The Midwest Book Review, December 2003, Vol. 11 No. 12 )

“Alain Daniélou is the foremost living interpreter of Hinduism. His books are remarkable for their clarity and scholarship.”
( Interview Magazine
)

"This work is recommended for all libraries."
(Library Journal, February 1, 2003 )

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions; 1 edition (February 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892819235
• ISBN-13: 978-0892819232
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,042,522 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly "reader friendly" history of India, December 11, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Brief History of India (Hardcover)

This thoroughly "reader friendly" history of India provides a synthesis of events and a survey of the development of India's civilization, social system, and diversity of cultures, races, languages and religions. In examining the changing trends of the country Danielou also creates an intriguing survey of how India's courses have affected the world.

31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars British and Moghul invaders, May 30, 2003

By 

Cloarec Jacques (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Brief History of India (Hardcover)

I was rather interested by the Library Journal critic concerning "A Brief History of India"(128 N° 2, February, 1)
With regard to the point of view expressed about Moghul and British colonisation, I feel that the critic has an unconscious Western bias, which is one of the main sores in India even today.
Of course, both these invaders also brought something positive with them, but we must remember that prior to their arrival India was one of the richest countries in the world and after their departure one of the poorest.

When you see the destruction made by the Muslims and in particularly by the Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb in Benares, you understand some of the material effects of these invaders, but their permanent attack on the Hindus' social and religious system was even worse.

In any case, I deem Daniélou's point of view is much more realistic that that of the French writer Guy Deleury who wrote recently in `L'Inde continent rebelle - Le Seuil 2000'

Page 257/258

The Indian sub-continent can look back with neither regret nor shame on its short century of British domination, to which it owes its telegraph, its railways, its neo-gothic railway stations, the gaudy uniforms of its sepoy corps d'élite, its metropolitan ports, masonic lodges and even - the supreme paradox - the Congress Party, which led it to independence

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars religions, various conquest and independence!, May 15, 2007

By 

Luis Mansilla Miranda (Viña del Mar, Chile) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Brief History of India (Hardcover)

I was keen to read a brief history of India before reading about the Bristish Raj. Most parts of India history are not very attractive for someone not very aware of it, and it is not a fault of the author but because most of that history are wars of conquest, from the Greek, Afghans, Arabs, Mongols and Europeans. The Arabs were particularly violent in its wars of domination, sacking India and leaving its people in impoverishment. Then, the last part of the book, and the most interesting for me, present the European involvement in India, first in search of trading and later, as a struggle for dominance of the country by the British, prior defeat of the French. The depiction of India independence is by far the best part of the book, succintly explaining the bloody division of India into a Muslim Pakistan and Hindu India and the influence of Ghandi in the liberation movement. Another thing that this book show is the evolution of the religions of India that are very interesting to know.

This book does not focus on any part of the history, so to get a deep knowledge of events like British conquest or Mahatma Ghandi, you need to find other sources. Finally, one important thing needed badly in this brief history are maps to follow the reading --- 3,5 stars!