• ISBN13: 9780195687859
• Binding: Paperback
• Subject: History
• Publisher: Oxford UP
• Publisher Imprint: Oxford UP
• Publication Date: October 16, 2006
• Pages: 416
• Original Price: 395.0 INR
• Language: English
• Edition: N/A
• Item Weight: 431 grams

This book presents a complete and accessible description of the history of early India. It starts by discussing the origins and growth of civilizations, empires, and religions. It also deals with the geographical, ecological, and linguistic backgrounds, and looks at specific cultures of the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Vedic periods, as well as at the Harappan civilization. In addition, the rise of Jainism and Buddhism, Magadha and the beginning of territorial states, and the period of Mauryas, Central Asian countries, Satvahanas, Guptas, and Harshavardhana are also analysed. Next, it stresses varna system, urbanization, commerce and trade, developments in science and philosophy, and cultural legacy. Finally, the process of transition from ancient to medieval India and the origin of the Aryan culture has also been examined.

The author of India's Ancient Past, R. S. Sharma, was an eminent historian, who taught at Patna University, University of Toronto and Delhi University as well. He was able to publish 115 books, throughout his life, which were translated into fifteen languages. He was the Head of Departments of History at Delhi and Patna Universities and was also the Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research. He was considered to be a master of epigraphy, literary texts and archaeological texts, which made his writing interesting and enlightening.