The wonder that was India -A.L Basham
One fine day, I was discussing upcoming research paper with a
Kannada professor. He suggested many ideas and suggestions for our work. He
mentioned the author called A.L Basham during the discussion. After asking who
is Basham was, he suggested that read a book entitled "A Wonder that was
India". When I read the book, I was astonished by the extent and influence
of ancient Indian culture. Reading about the many aspects of Indian
civilization that have shaped our world was truly fascinating. It is now even
more important to me to understand this fascinating part of our history.
In 1954, A.L. Basham published The Wonder That Was India,
an early history on the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the oldest
civilizations in the world. The book investigates the possible causes of the
decline of Harappan civilization and settlements. All over the world, people
are fascinated by Indian history, culture, and the way they are still connected
to their roots.
The book goes on to explore major events and developments in Indian
history, such as the Vedic period, the rise of the Mauryan Empire, the
emergence of Hinduism and Buddhism, and the Delhi Sultanate. It examines the
influence of the Mughal Empire and British colonialism on the Indian
subcontinent, and examines the independence movement and the establishment of
the Republic of India. The book also offers insights into the cultural,
linguistic and artistic contributions of India’s diverse peoples over the ages.
It is true that the history of India has been twisted, with Mughals receiving far too much importance for their relatively short reign of approximately 170 years. This is in stark contrast to the Vijaynagar Empire, which was a powerful force in southern India for more than 350 years, yet is often overlooked in history. This is likely due to the fact that the Mughal Empire was very expansive and powerful, while the Vijaynagar Empire was more localized and in some ways less influential. However, the Vijaynagar Empire was still a major force in the region for centuries and should not be forgotten. It is essential to view Indian history in a more balanced way, taking into account all the empires, both large and small, that have existed in the region and their impact.
The book talks about the evolution of Hinduism, tracing it back to the Harappa
civilization and the Aryan invasion of India. It also looks into the common
beliefs and influences that Jainism and Buddhism have brought to Hinduism.
These two branches of ancient Indian religion have had a major influence on the
Indian regions, introducing the idea of nonviolence and vegetarianism to the
people. This is a major point in the book, and it sheds light on how the Hindu
religion has been shaped by the outside forces of Jainism and Buddhism.
Basham's book is recommended to anyone looking for an in-depth understanding of the historical times. It is a unique work of religious research and understanding of the past, presented in an intelligent and easy to follow manner. Reading this book is like visiting a museum, where you can truly feel and experience the culture of the time. The content of the book is so vivid and magical that you will be transported to the past, feeling as though you are there. For anyone looking for a comprehensive and engaging read on the history of a particular period, Basham's book is an excellent choice.
Ms. Reshma UdayKumar
Assistant Professor in Media studies & Viscom
KJC , Bengaluru
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