There is nowhere else on Earth that compares to India. From its diverse faiths and colourful festivals to its welcoming people, entrancing wildlife and tumultuous history, it is almost a world within one country. But how did this wonderful nation come to be? Who are the people that have moulded it? And what is life like for the 1.4 billion souls who call it home? Prepare to embark on a journey to discover the answers to all these questions and many more
All About History History of India
THE INDUS VALLEY CIVILISATION • Cloaked in mystery, the Old World’s largest civilisation pioneered grid urban planning and sewage systems, only to disappear completely for thousands of years, still waiting to be understood
THE SECRET SCRIPT • Still undeciphered, the Indus script may just be the key to unlocking the civilisation’s greatest secrets
ALEXANDER INVADES INDIA • Having brought the mighty Persian Empire to its knees through a string of stunning victories, in 326 BCE Alexander the Great turned his gaze east to the jungles of India and the edge of the world he longed to see
PORUS THE KING
THE AJANTA CAVES • An updated book showcases India’s ancient Buddhist paintings in a new light
A WORLD OF MANY GODS • Explore India’s rich religious history and learn how its many faiths have shaped its culture and politics
HINDU GODS
THE SACRED TEXTS • Hindu sacred texts are known as the Vedas. It is believed that these texts were received from the divine by ancient sages and introduced to India by the Aryans between 1200 and 200 BCE.
INDIA’S PHILOSOPHER KING • While Ashoka began his reign as a bloodthirsty conqueror, he soon had a change of heart, creating the world’s first welfare state
THE ORIGINAL MACHIAVELLI • The Mauryan dynasty began with a genius determined to deliver his empire from danger and achieve revenge
THE WIDE REACH OF CIVILISATION • Ashoka’s philanthropy blossomed across the fringes of the empire, rolling out remarkable developments
GOLDEN AGE OF THE GUPTAS • For three centuries, India was ruled by enlightened monarchs who presided over an age of growth and progress
JEWELS OF INDIA • Take a look inside the book that showcases the magnificence and artistry of jewelled luxury objects from India’s past
SACRED RIVER, HOLY MOUNTAINS • From the marble gorge of Bhedaghat to the Ganges’ great wildlife, India’s natural wonders astound
SPOOKS OR SCIENCE? • Bengal’s marshlands may reveal a luminescent spectacle
THE DELHI SULTANATE • For three centuries, five dynasties ruled over the vast empire of the Delhi Sultanate
THE MUGHAL EMPIRE
THE Anatomy of A KATHAK DANCER • MUGHAL EMPIRE, 16TH – 17TH CENTURY
COIN OF EMPEROR JAHANGIR • The Mughal Empire’s currency was one of the finest in the world
EMINENT MUGHALS • Discover ten interesting men and women of the powerful Mughal court
THE EMPRESS & THE TOMB • She was the beloved wife of Shah Jahan and a protector of the poor and destitute, but her story ended in tragedy…
THE TAJ MAHAL • AGRA, INDIA, 1648
CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI: INDIA’S LAST WARRIOR KING • Trained to lead armies, this nation-founding ruler proved to be one of the finest generals of his time
THE LAND ALL DESIRE TO SEE • From its mesmerising festivals and mouth-watering food to its towering temples and captivating dances, India is a vibrant, pulsating world of colour and culture unlike anywhere else on Earth
A BLOODY ENTERPRISE • The East India Company redefined overseas commerce for England, but also caused great harm… How does its reputation stand up today?
DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER • Part of the British Crown Jewels, India’s diamond tells a story of bloodshed...