7 Books That Will Help You Know India Better

WiseReads
4 min readMar 1, 2022

From the rule of the Mughals to the plundering by the colonials, this list has something for everyone!

1. India: A History by John Keay

India: A History by John Keay

Providing an in-depth look at Indian culture over the last 5,000 years, India: A History is an excellent read for those who wish to brush up on Indian history. From the Harappan civilization to the nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan, Keay’s book covers all the major developments in South Asia.

Get this book here — https://amzn.to/3vrlhZO

2. The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen

The essays in this book by Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen are an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the foundations of Indian politics. The author discusses the traditions of public debate and intellectual diversity in Indian culture in the past and what he believes will determine the success of democracy in India.

Get this book here — https://amzn.to/3IvZkwk

3. The Last Mughal by William Dalrymple

It is a fascinating account of the years following the decline of the Mughal Empire, and the advent of the British Raj in India. Dalrymple conveys a rich understanding of 19th-century India through the story of Bahadur Shah Zafar II, the last of the Mughals to rule the country.

Get this book here — https://amzn.to/3tCbWMr

4. An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India by Shashi Tharoor

The book, An Era of Darkness, explores the economic, cultural, social, and political damage caused by British colonialism to the Indian subcontinent. Written by one of India’s most respected contemporary authors, this book is a must-read for anyone trying to comprehend what it was like in India during the British occupation.

Get this book here — https://amzn.to/3sxBevP

5. The Discovery of India by Jawaharlal Nehru

The Discovery of India by Jawaharlal Nehru

The Discovery of India was written by India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in prison from 1942 to 1946. The book is an outstanding tribute to India’s rich history and culture, tracing major developments on the subcontinent right from ancient Indus Valley Civilization to the final years of British rule.

Get this book here — https://amzn.to/35Eb6WN

6. The Great Partition by Yasmin Khan

The Great Partition by Yasmin Khan

An essential read for anyone seeking a better understanding of contemporary South Asia, The Great Partition shows how British India was partitioned into modern India and Pakistan. In addition to covering both the execution and aftermath of the partition, the book also provides readers with a deeper understanding of its historical and political context.

Get this book here — https://amzn.to/3C2Jl6C

7. India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha

Guha’s India After Gandhi is the definitive account of modern India, from independence from the British in 1947 up until the 1990s. Understanding the evolution of India’s political system during the 20th century, the book is also an excellent introduction to contemporary Indian politics.

Get this book here — https://amzn.to/3HybDad

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