A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India, From the Stone Age to the 12th Century by Upinder Singh, 2nd Edition

Book Details

• Author: Upinder Singh

• Publisher: Pearson

• Binding: Hardcover

• Number of Pages: 856

• Release Date: 19-01-2024

• ISBN: 9788119896851

• Package Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.1 x 1.6 inches

• Languages: English

About The Book
Widely hailed as a classic, the second edition of Upinder Singh’s A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India incorporates the latest research and insights, offering a comprehensive and engaging narrative on India’s rich historical heritage. Drawing from a vast array of textual, archaeological, and visual sources, this book intricately weaves together discussions of politics, economy, society, religion, philosophy, art, and ideas. The narrative not only addresses macro-level changes in the subcontinent's history but also illuminates the everyday lives of its people, giving readers a deeper understanding of the complex, dynamic nature of India’s past.

Celebrated as both an excellent introduction for general readers and a comprehensive, authoritative textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students, this edition upholds its reputation for offering a lucid, detailed, and balanced exposition. It equips readers with the critical thinking skills needed to assess historical evidence, arguments, and debates. The second edition also continues to be a reader’s delight, featuring excerpts from original sources alongside over 400 illustrations, including maps, photographs, and drawings, all of which vividly bring the history of India to life.

Key Features

• Chapter Openers: Designed to spark curiosity and encourage readers to ask questions about the period.

• Chapter Outlines: Provide an overview of the chapter's structure, helping readers navigate the content.

• Key Concepts: Help readers understand the conceptual vocabulary used by historians and highlight the interdisciplinary nature of history.

• Primary Sources: Offer descriptions and illustrations of archaeological material, textual sources, ancient texts, inscriptions, and visual sources.

• Further Discussion: Thought-provoking boxes that explore the multi-layered nature of India’s past, stimulating deeper reflection on historical themes and issues.

• Recent Discoveries: Highlight exciting discoveries and their impact on our understanding of India's ancient past.

• New Directions in Research: Present samples of new research, explaining methodology and findings in an accessible way.

• Visuals: Over 400 illustrations, maps, photographs, and drawings that breathe life into historical narratives.

• Further Readings: Suggested at the end of each chapter to encourage extended exploration of various topics.

• Diacritic Marks: Provided for Sanskrit and Tamil at the end of the book to assist with academic writing navigation.

This beautifully illustrated and meticulously researched work is an essential guide to India's ancient and early medieval history, offering both scholarly depth and accessibility to a wide range of readers.