Customer Reviews

Early India: A Concise History

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This book is a must read. May not be only for its concise nature to get a birds eye view about India's early social history but also to find the other side of the story of "cukoo india" which many nationalist historians portray about India. It covers social, economic view of India from ancient/pre-historic time till 12A.D. Certainly you will find the author's claim of "neutral view about about Indian history" is NOT reflected in this book. He is against the nationalist historians in general and RSS (calling stupid) views in particular. Personally I'm fine with that and Who cannot be criticized now-a-days? If you are fine to take the salt you will like this book. After I completely read the book, I had the impression that India had a bad (not a "not great") history. I can't resist that feeling. May be the author tried to portray only the dark side of the history thereby he is answering someone's questions. I could easily find some intentions behind factual presentation.If you have read some other history books on India you may able to understand the reason. But still I feel this is a good read.

The authors claim of neutrality would have been strengthened if he would have said only the facts and not raise his personal vehement opinions. Moreover, I felt he could have explained more on the theoretical emergence of "varna" system and its later modification over the time, how it was exploited by ruler and law bearers. This in fact would have given more credibility to the authors opinions if at all he wants make some.

In short, if you like know "Taj Mahal", its beauty, structural excellence, architectural marvel then there are other books to go for. If you like to hear the painful story of a construction worker whose family built the "Taj Mahal" - his wage difference with others, his sentimental difference with his superior, his forceful migration to the site, his family's dominance by his upper class boss, how he was lowly paid, how his hard earned money was cheated on the name of social custom and his mean fight against these suppression, then this book is for you. Just replace "Taj Mahal" with India to get the idea and approach handled in this book.