1.

Discovery of India by Jawaharlal Nehru

Written by Indias first prime minister when he was in prison (19421946), this book traces Indias history starting from the Indus Valley
Civilization. It gives a detailed account of the period ranging from the
coming of the Aryans to the establishment of the British Empire. A
recommended read to get a snapshot of Indias incredibly long past.
This book was also produced as an award-winning television series
by Shyam Benegal.

2. Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre

and Larry Collins

This book primarily focuses on Indias independence movement

during 1946 and 1948. The series of events that unfold during this
period are worthy of this book being classified as a historical one. It is
extensively researched, gives incredible details that you never knew
(for instance, do you know who actually drew the dividing line
between the two nations and on what basis?) and is a highly
recommended book on Indias independence and partition. The book
also includes interviews with Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of
British India.

3. The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen

Written by the Nobel Prize winning economist Amartya Sen, this book
is essentially a series of poignant essays narrating Indias history and
how that history has influenced and shaped its cultural identity. Sen
talks about how India has had a long history of public debate (in all
spheres of life) and how heterodoxy was prevalent in Indian society
centuries ago. This vibrant past is something that Sen believes we all
should know about considering that it can have a deep impact on
the way we embrace our future.

4. India after Gandhi: The History of the

Worlds Largest Democracy by Ramachandra
Guha

Ramachandra Guha is perhaps one of Indias best historians

currently. This book of his talks about Indias history after it gained
independence from the British. This is the perfect book for you to
understand the evolution of Modern India. Guha, a former professor
and now historian, does an awe-inspiring job of making sense of
Indias chaotic and eventful history since independence the
partition, Nehrus socialist policies, Rajiv Gandhis brief but impactful
career, the rise of religion and caste-based politics almost
everything you want to know is there in this 900-page book.

5. The Wonder That Was India by A L

Basham

This book is considered a useful source of history for aspirants to the

Indian civil services. Bashams popular work covers the period
between ancient India and the arrival of the Muslims. It covers details
of the Harappan and Mohenjodaro findings and then dwells on the
now-controversial Aryan invasion theory. Basham also studies the
interpretations of the Rig Veda and other Sanskrit texts to give a
better understanding of the countrys past.

6. The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor

The Great Indian Novel is a satirical novel by Shashi Tharoor. It is a

fictional work that takes the story of the Mahabharata, the epic of
Hindu mythology, and recasts and resets it in the context of the Indian
Independence Movement and the first three decades postindependence. Figures from Indian history are transformed into
characters from mythology, and the mythical story of India is retold as
a history of Indian independence and subsequent history, up through
the 1980s. (From Wikipedia)

7. A Corner Of A Foreign Field by

Ramachandra Guha

This one is for the cricket lovers. And for those who love to know
more about the games origin in India. Ramchandra Guha provides a

fascinating peek into the way this British sport made its foray into
India and how it is now a national obsession. Starting off with the
Parsis and their matches in Bombays maidans, this book goes into
various details on the way cricket influenced Indias society.

8. The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty:

Delhi, 1857 by William Dalrymple

William is an award winning historian and travel writer. The Last

Mughal talks about a culturally diverse and rich soceity during the rule
of Bahadur shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor. In 1857, the first war
against the British (known popularly as the Sepoy Mutinee) marked
the end of the Mughal rule. William lists the manner in which these
events unfolded and the impact it had on the country both politically
and culturally. His writing style and flair for capturing insights makes
this book a must-read.

9. India: A history by John Keay

John Keay is an English journalist and author specialising in writing

popular histories about India, often with a particular focus on their
colonisation and exploration by Europeans. In India: A history, John
provides a panaromic view starting from the cities of Harappa and
Mohenjodaro of the Indus Valley civilizations all the way to the current
modern India. This book is considered by many as a perfect textbook
for any student of India.

10. Alberunis India by Alberuni (Translated by

Edward C. Sachau)

Alberuni is considered as one of the greatest historians of the

medieval Islamic era. In 1017 AD, at the behest of Sultan Muhmud of
Persia, Alberuni travelled to India to learn about the Hindus, and to
discuss with them questions of religion, science, and literature, and

the very basis of their civilisation. He remained in India for 13 years,

studying and exploring. This book is an outcome of his rigorous study
of India.