Rewriting Indian History [Hardcover]

Francois Gautier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1996

In this examination of Indian history, the case is made that India's greatness is not only a lingering memory of the pre-Muslim conquest golden age, but has never diminished and continues today. Evidence for the argument includes recent archaeological research, linguistic discoveries, and new satellite imagery. The political, spiritual, cultural, and social importance of India is affirmed, throughout its history and into the future.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

François Gautier is a journalist and former political correspondent in South Asia for Le Journal De Genève and Le Figaro, France's largest circulation newspaper. He is the author of Arise O India, A Western Journalist on India, The Guru of Joy, and India's Self Denial. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 191 pages
• Publisher: Sangam Books Ltd; 1 edition (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0706999762
• ISBN-13: 978-0706999761
• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,752,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I've ever read on Indian History, June 9, 2001

By 

Rupesh S Shelar (Minneapolis, Minnesota United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rewriting Indian History (Hardcover)

The book talks about Indian History from a different perspective, and gives evidences, why and how, Indian History has been distorted. The book covers history of India from Vedic period till 1996. Author's style of writing is very convincing; he is giving logical reasons for his statements. Being a journalist and correspondent for South Asia for French Newspaper "Le Figaro" in India for 30 years, Francois Gautier has observed India very well. Some of his observations are so subtle that even I (being an Indian) had missed them. In the later chapters, he gives an account of contemporary India. In the 14th chapter, he proposes a confederacy of South Asia led by India, which at this point seems distant but not unachievable. He also gives explanations why neighbors of India dislike it although India hasn't been ever an aggressor. Author has also given a good comparison of east and west in Indian context and higlights achievments of east & west. Unlike the British authors ( if you've read Percival Spears' "History of India", you will notice that British historians write Indian history in such a manner that they'd done a great favour(!) to India by ruling them. Unfortunately, there are many takers for this in India, who love India bashing not understanding the value of India.), tone is never derogatory. On the other hand, he doesn't hesitate to point out lack of collective discipline, illiteracy, etc. The book also points out the arenas such as spiritualism, Yoga ( which is spread all over the world now), which are Indian contributions to the Humanity. In summary, I would say it is the best book I've ever read on Indian History.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anybody who cares for India, March 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rewriting Indian History (Hardcover)

This is a very insightful book about problems which India faces today and why there is a need to rewrite the history of India correctly instead of hiding and distorting facts which is being done now. Although I do not agree with the author on all points, but most of his ideas are sensible and appealing to an educated reader. His suggestion of re-uniting of India and Pakistan makes a lot of sense but seems very impractical in the present situation. I hope this book will see the eyes of many readers.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bloodiest history buried, June 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Rewriting Indian History (Paperback)

It is so unfortunate that the version of history presented by the author is nowhere in the vicinity of being in a history textbook in modern day India.

This book gives us a very important point of view of Indian history. As C.J.S.Wallia writes in a review of the book:
"From my own perspective as a secular humanist, I believe that any whitewashing of historical record is counterproductive. No matter how lofty the ideals of a current cause, any whitewash of history tempts the fates. To forget history will always be fateful; to forgive its horrendous facts can be redemptive. Forgive -- but never forget -- history. A salient example of making sure that the horrors of history are not forgotten is the contemporary German state's law prohibiting any World War II history that whitewashes the holocaust perpetrated by the Nazis on the Jews, Gypsies, and Poles. The Jews rightly insist that the world must never forget what happened to them. Where is the Hindu Holocaust Museum?"

Please read it and before that have no bias.