CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

1 The Indus Valley Civilization

2 Vedas, Aryans and the Origins of Hinduism

3 Buddha, Alexander and Asoka

4 Hindu Dynasties

5 The Coming of Islam

6 The Mughal Empire

7 European Incursions and East India Companies

8 The ‘Jewel in the Crown’

9 End of Empire

10 The World’s Largest Democracy

Postscript

Map

Chronology

Further Reading

Acknowledgments

List of Illustrations

Index