Bharat Ka Itihas (1000 E.P.1526 E.)

This book traces the development of Indias economic and social structure over a period of approximately 2500 years, from the establishment of Aryan culture around 1000 BC to the arrival of the Mughals and the first European trading companies in 1526 AD, in light of major political and dynastic events. Dr. Thapar primarily provides an engaging account of the diverse forms of Indian culture, expressed in religion, art, and literature, as well as ideologies and institutions. This history begins with Vedic culture, not because it is the starting point of Indian culture, but because much has already been written about the early stages of Indian culture, which began to emerge in the prehistoric and Harappan periods, in numerous books available to the general public. This early stage is discussed in the chapter entitled Preface. The arrival of Europeans marks the beginning of a new era in Indian history. Therefore, 1526 AD has been chosen as the end point. In the first chapter, the author attempts to clarify the major intellectual influences on historians writing about the past. This inevitably introduces the new methods and approaches being applied to the study of history, which are also reflected in this book.