The history of India is an extraordinary epic of a great civilisation. From the early cultures of the Indus through to the glittering power of the Mughal Empire the richness of Indian history has been magnificent. In the modern period India's experience has been equally fascinating. She encountered Western dominance, regained her independence and emerged as one of the most important nations of the world. This compact synthesis presents the grand sweep of Indian history from antiquity to the present. It emphasises the structural pattern of Indian history rather than the chronology of events. The book seeks to explain major political, economic, social and cultural forces which have shaped the history of the Indian subcontinent. First published in hardback in 1986, this new paperback edition has been thoroughly revised and updated in view of recent events and contains an updated bibliography.