A History of India

Praise for the first edition: 'A powerful and coherent interpretation of the grand sweep of India's past... It is a must read for all serious students of India regardless of their discipline and/or chronological focus.' History 'What impresses is Stein's ability to take the long view of Indian history and to develop his analysis across so many centuries and through such diverse material. It is also a mark of his achievement that his book stimulates discussion of matters that he has touched on only fleetingly himself, for it is an argument as much as an account of events.' Times Higher Education Supplement 'A History of India is clearly superior to its predecessors... The fact that Stein was willing to put forward so many provocative formulations is itself a virtue. The text itself is likely to stimulate interesting discussions in classes, something that most predecessors did not even attempt to achieve... In its paperback version this book might be seen by many teachers as the solution to their text dilemma.' The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society This new edition of Burton Stein's classic A History of India builds on the success of the original to provide an updated narrative of the development of Indian society, culture and politics from 7000 BC to the present. The book offers a comprehensive account of Indian history. It also links contemporary issues - including poverty, religious nationalism and the role of women - to India's rich and varied history and explores the tensions throughout Indian history between local communities and the state, between culture and politics, and between India and the outside world. In this second edition, David Arnold brings the story of India into the twenty-first century with expanded coverage from the death of Nehru in 1964 to the present and on India's internal political and economic development, and its wider diplomatic role in the region. With a new introduction outlining Burton Stein's contribution to the study of Indian history, as well as an updated glossary, further reading section and newly created maps, A History of India will inform and inspire a new generation of readers.