The Shortest History of India: From the World's Oldest Civilization to Its Largest Democracy-A Retelling for Our Times

by John Zubrzycki Narrated by Julian Elfer

Overview

5,000 years of history-from the Bhagavad Gita to Bollywood-fill this masterful portrait of the world's most populous nation and a rising global power.



India-a cradle of civilization with five millennia of history, a country of immense consequence and contradiction-often defies ready understanding. What holds its people together-across its many cultures, races, languages, and creeds-and how has India evolved into the liberal democracy it is today?



From the Harappan era to Muslim invasions, the Great Mughals, British rule, independence, and present-day hopes, John Zubrzycki distills India's colossal history into a gripping true story filled with legendary lives: Alexander the Great, Akbar, Robert Clive, Tipu Sultan, Lakshmi Bai, Lord Curzon, Jinnah, and Gandhi. India's gifts to the world include Buddhism, yoga, the concept of zero, the largest global diaspora-and its influence is only growing. Already the world's largest democracy, in 2023, India became the most populous nation.



Can India overcome its political, social, and religious tensions to be the next global superpower? As the world watches-and wonders-this Shortest History is an essential, clarifying must-listen.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

09/18/2023

Australian historian Zubrzycki (Empire of Enchantment) surveys five millennia of Indian history in this concise account. People first began living in the subcontinent 1.5 million years ago, making them one of the earliest human populations outside Africa. Noting that India has birthed three empires—Mauryan, Gupta, and Mughal—Zubrzycki explains that the Gupta Empire presided over a golden age (320–550 CE) of economic prosperity and flourishing science, and that the Mughal Empire (1526–1857) left behind some of the most exquisite architecture in all of Asia, including the Taj Mahal. Beginning in 1757, Great Britain’s East India Company gradually took over India in a “corporate coup unparalleled in history.” When a famine in the 1870s resulted in the company’s bankruptcy, the British government bailed it out, marking the beginning of British colonial rule in India. In the 20th century, the Indian National Congress pushed for India’s independence, which it attained in 1947 in an agreement that led to the partition of Pakistan, inhabited mostly by Muslims, from Hindu-dominated India, triggering the largest forced migration in history. Throughout his accessible narrative, Zubrzycki spotlights the origins of Indian innovations such as the decimal system, yoga, and vegetarianism. This is a fantastic resource for educators. (Nov.)

From the Publisher

A fine read. . . . Buy this book if you want a concise version of the 5,000-year-old history of the country told in a simple manner without the heavy linguistic jargon and to experience the cultural variety and the diverse societal evolution that has been India’s strongest suit.”—India Today

“An engaging summary. . . . This work helps give context to India’s wide-ranging aspects and to a better understanding of the lasting impact of British colonialism. Essential for anyone interested in an introductory overview of India’s long history.”—Library Journal, starred review

“Throughout his accessible narrative, Zubrzycki spotlights the origins of Indian innovations such as the decimal system, yoga, and vegetarianism. This is a fantastic resource for educators.”—Publishers Weekly
 
“An accessible and absorbing portal to the subcontinent’s 5,000-year-old history.”—Sydney Morning Herald
 
“Astounding. . . . A compelling and delightful read. . . . Effortlessly brings to life ancient civilizations and famed dynasties, taking readers on a roller-coaster spanning five millennia.”—Hindustan Times
 
“The best short history of India yet produced.”—Australian Book Review
 
“As a journalist, diplomat, and teacher . . . Zubrzycki’s ability to straddle diverse professional boundaries . . . enables [him] to pull off what many might think to be impossible: The Shortest History of India compresses 5,000 years of the country’s history—from the Harappān period to the ‘New India’ being shaped by the current political dispensation—in less than 300 pages.”—Indian Express
 
“The author’s willingness to engage in historical debate is crucial because it means shortness doesn’t equate to shallowness.”—The Saturday Paper
 
“Zubrzycki has risen to the occasion and offers us a fascinating insight into the creation and development of . . . the most populous democracy in the world.”—Queensland Reviewers Collective

Library Journal

★ 11/01/2023

India is a rising global power, and in April 2023, it surpassed China as the world's most populous country. Journalist and historian Zubrzycki (The House of Jaipur: The Inside Story of India's Most Glamorous Royal Family) masterfully takes on the challenge of creating a concise treatment of India's history that is approachable for general readers. The result is an engaging summary of India's fascinating history, from the mysterious Harappan Civilization (3300–1300 BCE) formed on the banks of the Indus River, up through the leadership of Narendra Modi, India's current prime minister. Being the origin place of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, as well as home to hundreds of millions of Muslims, and with 22 official languages (and many more unofficial ones), India is an incredibly multifaceted place. This work helps give context to its wide-ranging aspects and to a better understanding of the lasting impact of British colonialism. VERDICT Essential for anyone interested in an introductory overview of India's long history. Readers seeking 17th-century English accounts of India's Mughal Empire may want to also consider Nandini Das's Courting India.—Joshua Wallace

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159473837
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	11/28/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged

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