Not all of us take History in our academic field. But it is equally important for us to have a brief knowledge about our country’s history. India’s history is not only vast but rich with some of the ancient wonders. The Indus Valley Civilisation is considered one of the most modern civilisations of its time. Similarly, the Independence Movement is widely regarded as the most popular non-violent struggle.
India is also a land of diverse religion, culture and language. With such a vast history, it becomes important to read about it. Here are some of the books you should read to gain a better understanding of Indian History-
1. The Discovery of India by Jawahar Lal Nehru
Beginning the list with the man whose contribution significantly shaped the Indian Freedom Struggle, The Discovery of India was written by Jawaharlal Nehru when he was jailed in Ahmednagar Fort during 1942-45. This book covers the entire Indian history right from the Indus Valley Civilization to the establishment of the British Empire in the country. The book shows the historical importance of India which proved to be a great factor during the struggle against the foreign Raj.
2. The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen
Coming from the Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen, The Argumentative Indian is a wonderful book that captures the “argumentative” tradition of India that shaped its culture and continued to play a role in contemporary times. Sen also explains how the public debate has always been an important part of Indian society to help people understand the past and embrace it according to the needs of the present time.
3. Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins
Every one of us is already aware of the Independence of India against the backdrop of the horrible riots that came with the partition. However, Freedom at Midnight, focusing on the events that took place between 1946 and 1948, is a detailed and well-researched book that will help you to gain a better understanding of the formation of independent India and Pakistan. The book also contains interviews with Lord Mountbatten who was the last Viceroy of colonised India.
4. India after Gandhi: The History of the World’s Largest Democracy by Ramachandra Guha
Ramchandra Guha is a popular name in the world of historians. A book that is read by the Civil Services Aspirants, India After Gandhi is the book you need after reading Freedom at Midnight. It follows the history of India after attaining freedom, showing the evolution of Modern India and the factors behind it. The 900-page book covers a vast variety of subjects from caste-based politics to the political influence of the leaders.
5. The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor
A man who is popular across the world for his vocabulary and outspoken temperament, Shashi Tharoor’s The Great Indian Novel is a fascinating read. The satirical novel takes the Indian epic Mahabharata and re-imagines it in the context of India’s Independence and its aftermath. As Mahabharata followed the fight between the Kauravas and Pandavas, belonging to the same family, for the throne of Hastinapur, Tharoor uses this to draw parallel with the groups playing a prominent role in Indian democracy but being closely related in their political history.
6. The Wonder that was India by A.L. Basham
India’s image was distorted several times over the course of history due to political reasons. Numerous historians played a key role in helping mold stereotypes against India. James Mill, Macaulay and Vincent Arthur Smith are some of the examples who did the same. Basham, on the contrary, tried to change the western opinion about Indian culture through The Wonder that was India. A comprehensive book that encompasses the elements related to India, it was primarily written for the western audience.
7. India: A History by John Keay
If you have always wanted to read about the Harappan civilization, a contemporary of the Mesopotamian civilization, India: A History is the perfect option. John Keay incorporates the broad history of the earliest settlements in India to the modern-day fight for nuclear weapons. The book also includes several scholarly accounts of the history to give a better understanding of the past.
