Early India: from the origins to AD 1300 / Romila Thapar

*Early India* represents a complete rewriting by Romila Thapar of her classic work, *A History of India* (the first volume in the *Penguin History of India* series), thirty-five years after it was first published. Thapar has incorporated the vast changes in scholarly understanding and interpretation of Indian history that have occurred during her lifetime to revise the book for a new generation of readers. This new work brings to life thousands of years of history, tracing India's evolution before contact with modern Europe was established: its prehistoric beginnings; the great cities of the Indus civilization; the emergence of mighty dynasties such as the Mauryas, Guptas, and Cholas; the teachings of the Buddha; the creation of heroic epics such as the *Mahabharata* and the *Ramayana*; and the creation of regional cultures. Thapar introduces figures from the remarkable visionary ruler Ashoka to other less exemplary figures. In exploring subjects as diverse as marriage, class, art, erotica, and astronomy, Thapar provides an incomparably vivid and nuanced picture of India. Above all, she shows the rich mosaic of diverse kingdoms, landscapes, languages, and beliefs.

"Romila Thapar is the most eminent
Indian historian. This superb book is not only the basic history of how
India came to be and an introduction to how the writing of history takes shape, but also, not the least, a deconstruction of the historical myth and inventions on which is based the present intolerant and exclusivist Hindu nationalism. It is essential reading today."—Eric Hobsbawm

"One of the world's most eminent historians of
India, Thapar gives us a thoroughly revised edition of her authoritative general history. This one contains the accumulated research of the last thirty years and includes richly textured accounts of life in ancient
India. Like its predecessor, this is indispensable reading for anyone interested in
India's long and complex history."—Thomas R. Metcalf, Professor of History and Sarah Kailath Professor of
Indian Studies, University of California, Berkeley, and co-author of A Concise History of
India

"
Incorporating newer findings, methods, and interpretations, this thorough and outstandingly written addition to the author's highly acclaimed History of
India, Volume One manifests her long and distinguished service to the study of
Indian history. Thapar's skillful analysis of how
India's past has been interpreted not only brings greater clarity to the understanding of contemporary
India, but also contributes usefully to a broader study of history and historiography."—Peter L. Schmitthenner, Associate Professor of History, Virginia Tech

This New Book Represents A Complete Rewriting By The Author Of Her A History Of India, Vol. 1. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 542-544) And Index. Perceptions Of The Past -- Landscapes And Peoples -- Antecedents -- Towards Chiefdoms And Kingdoms, C. 1200-600 Bc -- States And Cities Of The Indo-gangetic Plain, C. 600-300 Bc -- The Emergence Of Empire, Mauryan India, C. 321-185 Bc -- Of Politics And Trade, C. 200 Bc-ad 300 -- The Rise Of The Mercantile Community, C. 200 Bc-ad 300 -- Threshold Times, C. Ad 300-700 -- The Peninsula, Emerging Regional Kingdoms, C. Ad 500-900 -- The Peninsula, Establishing Authorities And Structures, C. Ad 900-1300 -- The Politics Of Northern India, C. Ad 700-1200 -- Northern India, Distributive Political Economies And Regional Cultures, C. Ad 800-1300. Romila Thapar. This New Book Represents A Complete Rewriting By The Author Of Her Hugely Successful A History Of India, Vol. 1 -- Cip Data Sheet. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 542-544) And Index. Contents List of Illustrations Preface Acknowledgements Note on the Bibliographies Chronology Introduction 1. Perceptions of the Past 2. Landscapes and Peoples 3. Antecedents 4. Towards Chiefdoms and Kingdoms 5. States and Cities of the Indo-Gangetic Plain 6. The Emergence of Empire: Mauryan India 7. Of Politics and Trade 8. The Rise of the Mercantile Community 9. Threshold Times: c. ad 300-700 10. The Peninsula: Emerging Regional Kingdoms 11. The Peninsula: Establishing Authorities and Structures 12. The Politics of Northern India 13. Northern India: Distributive Political Economies and Regional Cultures Glossary Select Bibliographies General Bibliography Index Maps A long awaited, substantial and welcome revision of Thapar's best-seller, A History of India, Volume One, published in 1966. Like the original work, this is a superb synthesis of academic literature relating to the history of India