Ancient India: Culture of Contradictions
- ISBN-10
- 9390652618
- ISBN-13
- 9789390652617
- Series
- Ancient India
- Category
- India
- Pages
- 286
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2021
- Publisher
- Aleph
- Author
- Upinder Singh
Description
In Ancient India: Culture of Contradictions, one of India's most distinguished historians takes readers on an exhilarating voyage of discovery into the distant past. Upinder Singh urges us to abandon simplistic stereotypes and instead think of ancient India in terms of the coexistence of five powerful contradictions-between social inequality and promises of universal salvation, the valorization of desire and detachment, goddess worship and misogyny, violence and non-violence, and religious debate and conflict. She does so using a vast array of sources including religious and philosophical texts, epics, poetry, plays, technical treatises, satire, biographies, and inscriptions, as well as the material and aesthetic evidence of archaeology and art from sites across the subcontinent. Singh's scholarly but highly accessible style, clear explanation, and balanced interpretations offer an understanding of the historian's craft and unravel the many threads of what we think of as ancient Indian culture. This is not a dead or forgotten past but one invoked in different contexts even today. Further, in spite of enormous historical changes over the centuries, the contradictions discussed here still remain. Beautifully written, deeply original, and profusely illustrated with masterpieces of ancient, medieval, and modern art, the book brings to life the rich complexity of ancient India and its connections with the present in a vivid and compelling manner.
Get the book
Other editions
Similar books
-
Gandhi: The Peaceful Revolutionary
By Anna ClaybourneThis book charts the fascinating life of Mahatma Gandhi, president of the Indian National Congress and peaceloving protestor for independence.
-
Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India
By William DalrympleAward-winning, critically acclaimed, internationally bestselling William Dalrymple takes us to the heart of an undiscovered India
-
Sandalwood and Carrion: Smell in Indian Religion and Culture
By James McHughJames McHugh offers the first comprehensive examination of the concepts and practices related to smell in pre-modern India.
-
Ancient Indian Metallurgy
By Ashoka Kumar MishraThe vital role of Geoecology and mineral resources of India in furtherance of metallurgical innovation is also one of the prime aspects of this monograph. This excellent book will be useful to scholars andm students of metallurgy.
-
DK Eyewitness Books: Gandhi
By Kindersley Dorling, Juhi SaklaniFollow in Gandhi's steps as this book helps you uncover his role in key historical moments, like the Partition of India, the Dandi March and the Quit India Movement.
-
The Ultimate India Quiz Book
By Derek O`brien... India Penguin Group ( USA ) Inc. , 375 Hudson Street , New York , New York 10014 , USA Penguin Group ( Canada ) , 90 Eglinton Avenue East , Suite 700 , Toronto , Ontario , M4P 2Y3 , Canada ( a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc. ) ...
-
India 1900-47
By Rosemary Rees, Martin CollierHeinemann Advanced History titles focus on periods of great change in countries that are once again taking centre stage in world politics.
-
The Indian Naval Revolt of 1946
By Percy S. GourgeyWe relaxed in the small ward - room at the CCO and Punnu Khan went on to Castle Barracks to talk to the strike leaders . Somewhat later we received a signal that the Admiral ( Flag Officer , Bombay ) who had heard of the evening's ...
-
Drawing the Line
By Howard BrentonA vivid telling of the chaotic story of the partition that shaped the modern world.
-
Bitten by the Bullet: Motorcycle Adventures in India
By Steve Krzystyniak, Karen GoaBitten By The Bullet is the story of how Steve Krzystyniak and Lily, his partner - both long-time global wanderers who now live Waiheke Island in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf - came to set up and operate an innovative motorcycle tour company ...