The history of India is as old as the history of human civilization. Here is a list of a few most well-researched and captivating books on Indian history which will help you to understand Indian history better.
The Discovery of India by Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru wrote this book when he was imprisoned at Ahmednagar Fort for taking part in the Quit India Movement. (1942-46)
The Discovery of India was written by the first Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru One of the most read books on Indian history; this book traces the major incidents of our country right from the ancient Indus valley civilization to the pre-independent India. This book provides a very broad view of Indian history and its culture. The book was later adapted into a television series that broadcasted on Doordarshan.
India After Gandhi by RamchandraGuha
A very well-researched book, the book gives a detailed narrative on India after independence till the 90s.
Written by one of the most famous and revered historians RamchandraGuha, India after Gandhi gives an interesting account about the growth of India despite being such a diverse nation with umpteen number of problems. The book also brings out biographies of some of the most famous people of India like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India by Shashi Tharoor
Written by Shashi Tharoor, former UN bureaucrat, and politician Shashi Tharoor, the book tells us the ugly truth about British rule in India.
The book gives us a realistic account of the economic, social, political, and cultural exploitation of the Indian sub-continent during British rule. Contrary to the general opinion, here Shashi Tharoor tells us that nothing good came out of British rule in India and gave detailed information about the British Raj with all its horrors and also explains the remarkable struggle of India's freedom fighters.
India: A History by John Keay
India: A History by John Keay gives us a detailed insight into the 5,000 years old history of India.
Quite well researched and commanding, India: A History by John Keay is a fascinating epic portrait of one of the world’s oldest and most richly diverse civilizations. Though it’s not possible to capture the 5,000 years old history of the Indian sub-continent in a single book, John Keay has done a commendable job in giving us a detailed account of our history in an interesting way. The book starts from the Indus Valley Civilization to the recent events in the sub-continent.
Freedom at Midnight, by authors Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre
Freedom at Midnight by the authors Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins gives us a carefully researched account about several events during India’s Independence Movement, till the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
The books give us a detailed account of the important events that led to the independence of India. Penned by the author duo Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, the book is a tribute to Indian history as it comprises deeply researched events and even significant maps which gives the book an extra credibility
