Notebooks

Indian history

Recommended

Sengupta, N. K. Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal from the Mahabharata to Mujib; Penguin Books: New Delhi, 2011.
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It focuses on the political history of Bengal since the time of Mahabharata and to the 1970s. Yes a bit too broad, but the author has done a good job in documenting the major political upheavals. I liked a nuanced discussion on the gradual deterioration of Hindu–Muslim relations, starting 1900. Though, at times, the writing is dry and descriptive, it mostly reads well. One issue: a history book should have some decent maps and charts delineating the successions of kings; it lacks those.

Albinia, A. Empires of the Indus: The Story of a River; John Murray: London, 2008.
More A well-researched and engaging read. The author’s sincerity comes through—she writes with empathy for the people living by the Indus, offering many thoughtful insights. I didn’t always agree with her, especially in her somewhat cautious stance on religion, but overall, I’d recommend the book.
Roychowdhury, T. Bangalnama | বাঙালনামা; Ananda Publishers.
More Candid, witty, and sometimes sarcastic, the book starts with a take on colonial India. It then moves into the author’s experiences working as a historian—in the National Archives, at Delhi University, and later at Oxford. A great pick if you're looking for something that's both fun to read and full of insight into India and how an Indian sees Europe. There's also an abridged English translation called "The World in Our Time: A Memoir".

If I Get Time

Sastri, K. A. N.; Gurukkal, P. M. R.; Champakalakshmi, R. The Illustrated History of South India; Oxford: New Delhi, 2009.