Here are ten books that cover different aspects of Indian history and are widely regarded as essential reading:
India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy by Ramachandra Guha - A comprehensive account of India's political, social, and economic history from 1947 to the present day.
The Wonder That Was India by A.L. Basham - A classic study of India's cultural and intellectual history, covering topics such as religion, philosophy, literature, and art.
A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh - A detailed and accessible survey of India's history from the Indus Valley Civilization to the rise of the Delhi Sultanate.
The Discovery of India by Jawaharlal Nehru - A philosophical and reflective exploration of India's history, culture, and identity by India's first Prime Minister.
The Great Partition: The Making of India and Pakistan by Yasmin Khan - A vivid and detailed account of the partition of India in 1947 and its aftermath.
The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty, Delhi, 1857 by William Dalrymple - A gripping account of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and its impact on the Mughal Empire.
The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen - A collection of essays that explore the intellectual and cultural traditions of India, from ancient times to the present day.
India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra et al. - A comprehensive and detailed account of India's freedom struggle, covering the period from the early 19th century to 1947.
The Story of Indian Business: The East India Company by Tirthankar Roy - A detailed and engaging account of the East India Company and its role in shaping India's economic history.
The Idea of India by Sunil Khilnani - A thought-provoking exploration of the idea of India and the various forces that have shaped its history and culture.
These books cover a wide range of topics and periods in Indian history, and offer different perspectives and approaches to understanding India's past and present.
