Nilesh Jasani's Reviews > A History of India

Predictably, A History of India is an ambitious attempt to condense the vast and intricate history of the Indian subcontinent into a single volume. Expectedly, it falls short. For a topic so expansive, no single book or course could ever do justice. This is especially true for readers who are already well-acquainted with the subject, as this reviewer happens to be. For such readers, there was never going to be much scope for surprises at the broader topic level—after all, entire libraries could be built on any one of the themes or periods discussed in this book.

The real interest in listening to the lectures lies in understanding what someone unfamiliar with the subject might glean from them and similar works. In this regard, the course does provide a useful summary or “gist” of India’s historical trajectory, offering a starting point for those who wish to learn about the subcontinent's rich and diverse past. The book covers major themes like India’s religious plurality, colonialism, and post-independence developments in a way that is accessible to newcomers.

That said, the vast scope means that many topics are touched upon only briefly, often without the depth or nuance they deserve. In some ways, the book becomes an anthology of key historical periods and figures. There is little room for exploration of various perspectives, let alone engagement with contentious topics.

Overall, a decent introductory resource at best.