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A Children’s History of India
Which were the first cities of India, and how were they discovered?
What was it like living in Mughal times?
How did the British, who had come to trade in India, end up ruling the
country?
How has India changed after Independence?
Delve into India’s past to discover the answers to these questions and many
more in this comprehensive history of our nation. Journey through time
to visit the baths and palaces of the first cities of Harappa, the stupas of
Ashoka and the flamboyant courts of the great Mughals, rich in art, culture
and architecture. Learn how the revolution of 1857 really started, and march
alongside Gandhi on his quest for an India free from British rule. Plus,
discover more about each period through fun and easy ‘To do’ activities.
Told in simple, lucid prose, and interspersed with beautiful illustrations,
A Children’s History of India makes learning history a fun and engaging
experience for readers of all ages.
What was it like living in Mughal times?
How did the British, who had come to trade in India, end up ruling the
country?
How has India changed after Independence?
Delve into India’s past to discover the answers to these questions and many
more in this comprehensive history of our nation. Journey through time
to visit the baths and palaces of the first cities of Harappa, the stupas of
Ashoka and the flamboyant courts of the great Mughals, rich in art, culture
and architecture. Learn how the revolution of 1857 really started, and march
alongside Gandhi on his quest for an India free from British rule. Plus,
discover more about each period through fun and easy ‘To do’ activities.
Told in simple, lucid prose, and interspersed with beautiful illustrations,
A Children’s History of India makes learning history a fun and engaging
experience for readers of all ages.
457 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2015
317 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 27, 2024
I wanted to learn more about the history of India, but to be honest, the adult books I found either seemed too daunting or too academic, or they focused only on specific time periods. So, I went with this children's version instead.
The book is divided in four major time periods: Ancient India, Medieval India, the British Period, and Independent India. We learn that India is named after the river Indus but it used to go by other names in the past. The earliest name that we know of is Jambudvipa, which means Island of the Jambu (rose apple) Tree. The author explains that India is a land of plenty, and that the Himalaya mountain range is the source of several mighty rivers that form the heart of the Indian civilization. Due to all those natural riches and many rivers, trading has been a huge part of Indian culture, even in ancient times. But not all of that trading over the years was peaceful, as the book later reveals.
The main history lessons start with the Harappan Civilization , which is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. For thousands of years, this civilization had pretty much been lost in time until it was rediscovered in the 1920s. And it’s interesting to note that the houses from that period were quite modern in some ways. Like most of the houses had a bathroom. There was a sophisticated underground sewage system. They even had a pool. Despite uncovering a lot about this civilization over the years, so much still remains lost in time. They for example had a writing system, but it is yet to be deciphered.
There’s one thing that really stood out to me, it’s not explicitly mentioned in the book but you’re able to read this between the lines, and that’s the importance and the impact of leadership on a civilization. I’ll explain. There have been a lot of leaders over the years in India, and the impact they had on either the rise or decline of their civilization is very noticeable. Ashoka is a great example of a leader who wanted to have a positive impact on the lives on the common people. He advocated non-violence, religious tolerance, equality, and implemented social welfare programs. This made his empire thrive for many years. But there are also a lot of leaders who only looked out for themselves, while the normal people suffered during their reigns, and this led to the natural decline of their empires. Some actually destroyed their own empires from the inside without even realizing their own mistake.
It's worth noting that in Indian history, religion and history are deeply intertwined, and this is reflected in most chapters of the book. While the book doesn't delve deeply into the religious aspects, it provides enough context to help you see the bigger picture.
One thing I really appreciate in this book is that every chapter ends with a little section called “elsewhere in the world.” This is appreciated as after a while the dates can get a bit confusing and this makes it easier for us readers to situate the events of that chapter in the grand scheme of things.
This book is a treasure trove of well-researched information detailing thousands of years of fascinating history, all told in an easily accessible way. Naturally, not everything is explained in great detail, but you do learn a lot of interesting things and all the major events are covered. The book even gives you suggestions where to find more about each topic if you want to learn more about it. It is occasionally noticeable that this book was written with a young Indian audience in mind. But, I think the section about Indian Independence in particular benefits from it because it is written with so much passion.
The book is divided in four major time periods: Ancient India, Medieval India, the British Period, and Independent India. We learn that India is named after the river Indus but it used to go by other names in the past. The earliest name that we know of is Jambudvipa, which means Island of the Jambu (rose apple) Tree. The author explains that India is a land of plenty, and that the Himalaya mountain range is the source of several mighty rivers that form the heart of the Indian civilization. Due to all those natural riches and many rivers, trading has been a huge part of Indian culture, even in ancient times. But not all of that trading over the years was peaceful, as the book later reveals.
The main history lessons start with the Harappan Civilization , which is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. For thousands of years, this civilization had pretty much been lost in time until it was rediscovered in the 1920s. And it’s interesting to note that the houses from that period were quite modern in some ways. Like most of the houses had a bathroom. There was a sophisticated underground sewage system. They even had a pool. Despite uncovering a lot about this civilization over the years, so much still remains lost in time. They for example had a writing system, but it is yet to be deciphered.
There’s one thing that really stood out to me, it’s not explicitly mentioned in the book but you’re able to read this between the lines, and that’s the importance and the impact of leadership on a civilization. I’ll explain. There have been a lot of leaders over the years in India, and the impact they had on either the rise or decline of their civilization is very noticeable. Ashoka is a great example of a leader who wanted to have a positive impact on the lives on the common people. He advocated non-violence, religious tolerance, equality, and implemented social welfare programs. This made his empire thrive for many years. But there are also a lot of leaders who only looked out for themselves, while the normal people suffered during their reigns, and this led to the natural decline of their empires. Some actually destroyed their own empires from the inside without even realizing their own mistake.
It's worth noting that in Indian history, religion and history are deeply intertwined, and this is reflected in most chapters of the book. While the book doesn't delve deeply into the religious aspects, it provides enough context to help you see the bigger picture.
One thing I really appreciate in this book is that every chapter ends with a little section called “elsewhere in the world.” This is appreciated as after a while the dates can get a bit confusing and this makes it easier for us readers to situate the events of that chapter in the grand scheme of things.
This book is a treasure trove of well-researched information detailing thousands of years of fascinating history, all told in an easily accessible way. Naturally, not everything is explained in great detail, but you do learn a lot of interesting things and all the major events are covered. The book even gives you suggestions where to find more about each topic if you want to learn more about it. It is occasionally noticeable that this book was written with a young Indian audience in mind. But, I think the section about Indian Independence in particular benefits from it because it is written with so much passion.
April 9, 2018
A long sequence of dates and years, faded and dull photographs of coinage and architectural relics, paragraphs or even chapters worth of statistics of who felled whom in battle and soporific descriptions of architecture from a long time ago is a quick recap of my history classes from high school. Try as I might to romanticize the atmosphere, the history sessions almost always were about rote learning. Post the school days there were a few individuals who were rather gifted in storytelling, few and far between articles in print/internet media and quite a few books that turned my indifference into a curiosity over the years. In idle moments and during random musings it never cased to amuse me to think that if I came across a book that started me off young into a love for history, what would have changed ? What I did not find at young age, came to me a good three decades later into life. The title takes a bullhorn and shouts that ’This is a children’s version of history’ but then any good children’s book communicates effortlessly with adults too. This one certainly fits that bill.
The book is broadly divided into chapters that chronologically cover the major phases the country has gone through. In summary this would mean the following broad brush strokes : Harappa civilization, pre Vedic times, the Aryans, the Mauryas, later kingdoms, Islamic conquests, Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Marathas, The East India Company, British Empire, Freedom struggle, Independence and post-Independence India till about the 80’s. Each is a snapshot of the major occurrences, key dates and also what might have been the life of a regular human being during that window. This follows an approach very similar to a text book but the content is much lighter in tone. This makes for a wholesome reading that gives a bird’s eye view of what might have transpired in those times long ago. There are also a good number of illustrations that drive home the point pretty well. From a high vantage point this surely serves the purpose and the reader can come off with a feeling that they have scratched the surface of a vibrant and colourful chest of stories.
Keeping the starry eyed gushing aside and donning the garb of an adult it must be said that the viewpoints and perspectives are from a western reading of India’s history. As a reader I expected an Indian author would write about the country while being firmly rooted in the soil but it was not to be . A critical reading of western history balanced with views from India might have made this for a much deeper understanding of India’s history and yet this chance is thrown off and it is the western narrative that stands out. Whether it is about the chronicles of the Aryans, an interpretation of the Ramayana etc., it is overtly a western stand. West again merges into North as the book traces history from North India’s standpoint, so yes the orientation is West by North. Barring a few mentions of the Vijayanagara empire and the Deccan sultanates, it is almost all about occurrences north of the Narmada river. This might not have been a conscious decision and this book joins countless others along a road well-trodden.
A great start point for children but they would need to understand the need to critically read this book and then ask more and more questions about it. Sure that might make them a pain the posterior for those listening to it but then if they take it all for granted then where is the intellectual challenge for them ? After all a probing and inquisitive mind can ask and ask until it reaches the actual fact.
Recommended.
The book is broadly divided into chapters that chronologically cover the major phases the country has gone through. In summary this would mean the following broad brush strokes : Harappa civilization, pre Vedic times, the Aryans, the Mauryas, later kingdoms, Islamic conquests, Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Marathas, The East India Company, British Empire, Freedom struggle, Independence and post-Independence India till about the 80’s. Each is a snapshot of the major occurrences, key dates and also what might have been the life of a regular human being during that window. This follows an approach very similar to a text book but the content is much lighter in tone. This makes for a wholesome reading that gives a bird’s eye view of what might have transpired in those times long ago. There are also a good number of illustrations that drive home the point pretty well. From a high vantage point this surely serves the purpose and the reader can come off with a feeling that they have scratched the surface of a vibrant and colourful chest of stories.
Keeping the starry eyed gushing aside and donning the garb of an adult it must be said that the viewpoints and perspectives are from a western reading of India’s history. As a reader I expected an Indian author would write about the country while being firmly rooted in the soil but it was not to be . A critical reading of western history balanced with views from India might have made this for a much deeper understanding of India’s history and yet this chance is thrown off and it is the western narrative that stands out. Whether it is about the chronicles of the Aryans, an interpretation of the Ramayana etc., it is overtly a western stand. West again merges into North as the book traces history from North India’s standpoint, so yes the orientation is West by North. Barring a few mentions of the Vijayanagara empire and the Deccan sultanates, it is almost all about occurrences north of the Narmada river. This might not have been a conscious decision and this book joins countless others along a road well-trodden.
A great start point for children but they would need to understand the need to critically read this book and then ask more and more questions about it. Sure that might make them a pain the posterior for those listening to it but then if they take it all for granted then where is the intellectual challenge for them ? After all a probing and inquisitive mind can ask and ask until it reaches the actual fact.
Recommended.
May 29, 2018
The problem with many such writers is that they cling to a western version of Indian history, which like science, changes its versions. Somewhere around 75% information in chapter-4 'The Poets of the Vedas' is misleading. I dropped the book right after never to touch it again.
1. She refers to Nomad folks as the composures of the great Vedas.
2. Soma rasa (the divine drink drank by rishis and devas) is conveniently described to be either marijuana, mushrooms or even opium.
3. Varna system, which was exploited by the people in power at some point in history is somewhat described accurately.
4. According to western historians and the author of this book, Rama was a white man "Aryan" (a mythical race created in mid-1800 by Max Muller) even though in Valmiki' Ramayana, Rama is described to have a wonderful dark complexion. She probably never read the original scriptures.
5. Hers, as well as western translation of the word Dasa, is a slave. Dasa means a servant. Devotees traditionally put Das or Dasi as the second name in Indian culture. e.g. Ram Das means servant of Lord Ram, Krishna Das means servant of Lord Krsna. The word slave did not exist in Indian culture until the barbaric Islamic tribes from the Middle East, invaded India. They brought slaves with them and made many slaves of tribals in India.
1. She refers to Nomad folks as the composures of the great Vedas.
2. Soma rasa (the divine drink drank by rishis and devas) is conveniently described to be either marijuana, mushrooms or even opium.
3. Varna system, which was exploited by the people in power at some point in history is somewhat described accurately.
4. According to western historians and the author of this book, Rama was a white man "Aryan" (a mythical race created in mid-1800 by Max Muller) even though in Valmiki' Ramayana, Rama is described to have a wonderful dark complexion. She probably never read the original scriptures.
5. Hers, as well as western translation of the word Dasa, is a slave. Dasa means a servant. Devotees traditionally put Das or Dasi as the second name in Indian culture. e.g. Ram Das means servant of Lord Ram, Krishna Das means servant of Lord Krsna. The word slave did not exist in Indian culture until the barbaric Islamic tribes from the Middle East, invaded India. They brought slaves with them and made many slaves of tribals in India.
November 25, 2020
A large number of children find the subject ‘History’ boring and dull, and I completely agree; It was a similar case with me too. Our history textbooks list out facts that we are supposed to learn before our exams arrive. This can be pretty monotonous and lifeless. What if I tell you that this book, ‘A Children’s history of India’ turns the most boring of your History chapters to refreshing and compelling ones which you will love to read! Yes, you read it right this book written by Subhadra Sen Gupta has changed the tiresome chapters of History into a long enjoyable story. This book tells us everything from the earliest of the Hunter-gatherers to the Mughal dynasty and even the making of the National movements which led to the independence of our country, India. The book is divided into topics and chapters which portray the history of India in a magnificent way.
My father had got this book for me and I wasn’t interested in it much, but I thought of giving this book a try. It certainly had a good rating and also my dad’s choice of buying books is great. When I sat to read this book, I didn’t think that I would finish it, but just after I finished the first chapter, I realized that history isn’t that bad! This book got me hooked at the very start.
This book has a different way of telling the story of India. It has fact boxes and also maps so that the reader could locate the place clearly. The book also lists websites at the end of the chapter which the reader can refer to after reading, which I thought was noteworthy and makes this book distinct. One flaw this book has is that at the end of the book or very close to it, the author has listed out some years and events happening in those years. I think the author should have taken the dates and put them together in the story and make it even more to one’s liking, but overall this book was absorbing and exceptional. This certainly is the first history book I liked and enjoyed reading. This book is recommended for any child, teen or even an adult who has a fondness for reading about the history of India.
My father had got this book for me and I wasn’t interested in it much, but I thought of giving this book a try. It certainly had a good rating and also my dad’s choice of buying books is great. When I sat to read this book, I didn’t think that I would finish it, but just after I finished the first chapter, I realized that history isn’t that bad! This book got me hooked at the very start.
This book has a different way of telling the story of India. It has fact boxes and also maps so that the reader could locate the place clearly. The book also lists websites at the end of the chapter which the reader can refer to after reading, which I thought was noteworthy and makes this book distinct. One flaw this book has is that at the end of the book or very close to it, the author has listed out some years and events happening in those years. I think the author should have taken the dates and put them together in the story and make it even more to one’s liking, but overall this book was absorbing and exceptional. This certainly is the first history book I liked and enjoyed reading. This book is recommended for any child, teen or even an adult who has a fondness for reading about the history of India.
September 21, 2017
Though this book is meant for children,I, as an adult found it very informative and interesting. All of us do read history in school, but our mental frame is different then. When I keep coming across references to our past history in various contexts, I used to feel my knowledge in it was inadequate. But how do I deal with it? Read up some books,of course. But such books may be good for deeper study for which there may not be time or inclination.
This book serves the purpose grandly giving basic details of everything and if a particular aspect interests me more I can always read up on the net.
Another great feature was telling us that when some event was happening in India,what was happening elsewhere in the world.
Also good tips for children after each chapter about what read/see/look for.
This book serves the purpose grandly giving basic details of everything and if a particular aspect interests me more I can always read up on the net.
Another great feature was telling us that when some event was happening in India,what was happening elsewhere in the world.
Also good tips for children after each chapter about what read/see/look for.
December 10, 2021
Condensing 5000 years of tumultuous history of the most diverse country in the world, in the less than 500 pages, that too in a language that could be appreciated by children, who by default hate history as a subject in school, is the most arduous task one can take. So, hats off Subhadra Sen Gupta for pulling off this great feat.
Critics might point out omission of one or two of their favourite characters, over simplification of some events dear to them, or may be factual discrepancy from their earlier held belief (as if history is a monolithic subject with a single truth, their truth), but critics don't define the world, thankfully.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, the way it is written, and I firmly believe, children would surely love this book.
Highly recommended to school students.
Whatsapp uncles, please avoid.
Critics might point out omission of one or two of their favourite characters, over simplification of some events dear to them, or may be factual discrepancy from their earlier held belief (as if history is a monolithic subject with a single truth, their truth), but critics don't define the world, thankfully.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, the way it is written, and I firmly believe, children would surely love this book.
Highly recommended to school students.
Whatsapp uncles, please avoid.
February 8, 2022
The best History book in the whole wide world.
Amazing, Easy to read and understand
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Amazing, Easy to read and understand
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December 12, 2024
took me forever to finish because it was honestly a book length list of names. I understand historical figures are important but some context would have been nice for a lot of them. Overall I learned more about the history of India than I have ever known which I am happy about, but that was no huge feat because I knew very little. I enjoyed the fun facts
August 1, 2017
just the book I was looking for. I wanted to get acquainted with the history of India in a short and concise way. this book did a awesome job. in a very simple way it describes the history of India from 5000 yrs ago till 1976. the author rightly points out to the fact that history books are to be referred and not read like story books. this book can act as a excellent starting point for history enthusiast who can then go on to much fatter tomes to satiate their knowledge and curiosity. the best part of the book is the 'what happened when' chapters at the end of each major era which summarises the important events chronologically. the section 'elsewhere in the world' describes what is happening in the world during the same time period. I had a fun time reading this book. it also made me aware of the great legacy that we have been inherited. proud to be an Indian.
July 31, 2018
Quite a bit of information in this book is incorrect. For eg: author writes that Indians thought that the earth was flat. In all indian scriptures including jyotish sashtra study of geography is called Bhugol shastra- Bhu = earth, gol = round. Similarly lot of other incorrect information which is why I rated it 1. I would have rated it 0, if it was possible to post a 0 rating as the title reads " A children's" and children should not be influenced with incorrect information.
January 14, 2017
An introduction to the 5,000-year old history of India written for children.
But it can be enjoyed by the adults who have a child’s knowledge of history like me.
Starting from the Harappan civilization, 2,600 years before Jesus was born, to the Partition of the country, it’s a panoramic view of the history of the country.
It makes for delightful reading. And I went through multiple emotions.
Whoa: A planned city was built that long ago! And it was discovered by accident when the British were laying the railway tracks in Sind province of Pakistan.
Come to think of it: The Ramayana and the Mahabharata were being composed when there were pharaohs in Egypt and Mayans were making that calendar of theirs. While the Pharaohs and the Mayans sound s-o-o ancient, Rama and Hanuman, Arjuna and Draupadi are so much part of our lives even in 2017.
Bahh!: The Prisoner of War Porus tells Alexander – Alexander – that he expects to be treated like a king. If only we had a tiny fraction of that courage and self-respect!
Really!!: A kingdom with its capital at Patna – Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar’s Patna! – stretched to Afganistan. And at the encouragement of the Emperor, Buddhism spread to China, Japan, Indonesia. And Xi Jinping has the gall to ask India not to host the Dalai Lama at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Aha: The Guptas, the Cholas, the Chalukyas, Harsha. Will we ever see such glory again?
Issh!: The petty – were they petty? – tribal chieftains from Afganistan are coming charging down and looting the Somnatha temple seventeen times. Only if the North Indian rulers were united enough to face the menace together! There would not have been a nuclear-powered Pakistan or burnt down schools in Kashmir or the steady trickle of infiltrators from Bangaladesh to West Bengal.
Sigh: Delhi was ransacked by Timur and, 400 years later, by Nadir Shah. Peacock Throne is gone. Koh-i-Noor is gone.
Hmm: The British were not good, yes. But whatever we are today is due in no small measure to their 190 years in this country.
Thank god: After those tumultuous days of freedom struggle, communal riots and Partition we had leaders of the stature of Nehru and Patel and Azad and Rajagopalachari and Ambedkar and Prasad and Kripalani. Or else where would have we been.
Only one small complaint: in a nearly 450-page book covering 4600-year history of the country no mention was made – not even once – of three persons who have contributed in significant measures to what we are today: Adi Shankara, Shri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda.
A very good book, any way.
But it can be enjoyed by the adults who have a child’s knowledge of history like me.
Starting from the Harappan civilization, 2,600 years before Jesus was born, to the Partition of the country, it’s a panoramic view of the history of the country.
It makes for delightful reading. And I went through multiple emotions.
Whoa: A planned city was built that long ago! And it was discovered by accident when the British were laying the railway tracks in Sind province of Pakistan.
Come to think of it: The Ramayana and the Mahabharata were being composed when there were pharaohs in Egypt and Mayans were making that calendar of theirs. While the Pharaohs and the Mayans sound s-o-o ancient, Rama and Hanuman, Arjuna and Draupadi are so much part of our lives even in 2017.
Bahh!: The Prisoner of War Porus tells Alexander – Alexander – that he expects to be treated like a king. If only we had a tiny fraction of that courage and self-respect!
Really!!: A kingdom with its capital at Patna – Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar’s Patna! – stretched to Afganistan. And at the encouragement of the Emperor, Buddhism spread to China, Japan, Indonesia. And Xi Jinping has the gall to ask India not to host the Dalai Lama at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Aha: The Guptas, the Cholas, the Chalukyas, Harsha. Will we ever see such glory again?
Issh!: The petty – were they petty? – tribal chieftains from Afganistan are coming charging down and looting the Somnatha temple seventeen times. Only if the North Indian rulers were united enough to face the menace together! There would not have been a nuclear-powered Pakistan or burnt down schools in Kashmir or the steady trickle of infiltrators from Bangaladesh to West Bengal.
Sigh: Delhi was ransacked by Timur and, 400 years later, by Nadir Shah. Peacock Throne is gone. Koh-i-Noor is gone.
Hmm: The British were not good, yes. But whatever we are today is due in no small measure to their 190 years in this country.
Thank god: After those tumultuous days of freedom struggle, communal riots and Partition we had leaders of the stature of Nehru and Patel and Azad and Rajagopalachari and Ambedkar and Prasad and Kripalani. Or else where would have we been.
Only one small complaint: in a nearly 450-page book covering 4600-year history of the country no mention was made – not even once – of three persons who have contributed in significant measures to what we are today: Adi Shankara, Shri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda.
A very good book, any way.
July 23, 2017
*4.5 stars*
History has never failed to fascinate me and this book definitely lived up to my expectations. I picked up this book from the library one afternoon because it is my firm belief that one should know and take pride in the history and past of one's nation. After perusing this book, my faith has been renewed and reinstated that India, indeed has one of the most beautiful, most diverse and richest of histories of all civilizations. My inquisitiveness continued to expand as I explored the different sections and phases of India's history. the times when it was drowning in wealth, silks, gems and riches, the times when emperors overthrew fathers and claimed thrones, the era when art and science affected each part of the country, the eons when our India was plundered and crushed under an oppressive colonial rule and how we stood up, rebelled, struggled and united in the face of doom.
Subhadra Sen has wonderfully condensed India's sweeping history into a delightful book, never failing to make me smile reading little titbits and original, fun facts. My admiration for history and its historians has only grown.
History has never failed to fascinate me and this book definitely lived up to my expectations. I picked up this book from the library one afternoon because it is my firm belief that one should know and take pride in the history and past of one's nation. After perusing this book, my faith has been renewed and reinstated that India, indeed has one of the most beautiful, most diverse and richest of histories of all civilizations. My inquisitiveness continued to expand as I explored the different sections and phases of India's history. the times when it was drowning in wealth, silks, gems and riches, the times when emperors overthrew fathers and claimed thrones, the era when art and science affected each part of the country, the eons when our India was plundered and crushed under an oppressive colonial rule and how we stood up, rebelled, struggled and united in the face of doom.
Subhadra Sen has wonderfully condensed India's sweeping history into a delightful book, never failing to make me smile reading little titbits and original, fun facts. My admiration for history and its historians has only grown.
September 14, 2015
Arundhati Roshan B reviews the book on Goodbooks: "That we can never have enough good, well-researched books on Indian history for children, written by authors with tons of street-cred, a secular outlook, and no personal axe to grind, is a time-honoured given. Such books become more urgent in times like the ones we live in, when history is often used as a tool to manipulate opinion and engender bias in the young and impressionable.
Happily, Red Turtle's A Children's History of India, a weighty tome (almost 450 pages) that tells the fascinating story of the subcontinent from the hoary time 4600 years ago when it was called Jamubudvipa, all the way until half a century ago, when free India began to fast-forward itself, checks all these boxes." Click here to read the full review: http://goodbooks.in/node/7349
Happily, Red Turtle's A Children's History of India, a weighty tome (almost 450 pages) that tells the fascinating story of the subcontinent from the hoary time 4600 years ago when it was called Jamubudvipa, all the way until half a century ago, when free India began to fast-forward itself, checks all these boxes." Click here to read the full review: http://goodbooks.in/node/7349
July 14, 2017
The book provides a complete but brief description of the history of Indian subcontinent in the simplest way possible. Everything is arranged chronologically so you never lose track of events and get confused with kings with similar names. Overall, it's highly informative and fun to read.
October 20, 2023
Every child must read this to know how far we have come
August 23, 2018
Highly Recommended for 10+ age group
I purchased both version of this book : first print edition for my daughter and then kindle edition for myself . The book is definitely very well organised , informative and interesting . I completed it cover to cover so that makes me eligible to comment on it . I definitely recommend it to all children as well as adults . The only flaw i saw at some pages that author making decisions that some parties are bad and some other parties are good in freedom struggle . I feel that duty of a professional history teacher is to present facts to a child in very detailed and interesting way but he should avoid taking sides as kid can make his ideology by listening to his teacher . I seriously believe that this mistake is purely unintentional and accidental . Otherwise ! A very interesting book !
I purchased both version of this book : first print edition for my daughter and then kindle edition for myself . The book is definitely very well organised , informative and interesting . I completed it cover to cover so that makes me eligible to comment on it . I definitely recommend it to all children as well as adults . The only flaw i saw at some pages that author making decisions that some parties are bad and some other parties are good in freedom struggle . I feel that duty of a professional history teacher is to present facts to a child in very detailed and interesting way but he should avoid taking sides as kid can make his ideology by listening to his teacher . I seriously believe that this mistake is purely unintentional and accidental . Otherwise ! A very interesting book !
August 9, 2020
Thank you to audible stories for allowing us to stream for free during the pandemic.
This says children's history, but boy is it more than just a children's history. I would guess this would be a much more attractive book to indigenous or heritage Indians than to me, but it seemed rather in depth for a child. It begins historically and brings you forward to contemporary history.
I certainly enjoyed much more so the history once it became more of a people wanting to unite and become one. It was fantastic to hear throwing off the chains of imperialism and growing and becoming so much more on their own. It is sad that so many late historical people created such problems that it runs to this day when those religions should be getting along just fine and did. But that was the most enjoyable part of this I would have to say.
This says children's history, but boy is it more than just a children's history. I would guess this would be a much more attractive book to indigenous or heritage Indians than to me, but it seemed rather in depth for a child. It begins historically and brings you forward to contemporary history.
I certainly enjoyed much more so the history once it became more of a people wanting to unite and become one. It was fantastic to hear throwing off the chains of imperialism and growing and becoming so much more on their own. It is sad that so many late historical people created such problems that it runs to this day when those religions should be getting along just fine and did. But that was the most enjoyable part of this I would have to say.
November 25, 2022
I have for long looked for books that can introduce to children our long-winded history and our great epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana.
This book is definitely worth a consideration!
First, the positives:
- Well sequenced narrative covering a swathe of the land's history
- Largely non-judgmental (except for one part which I will mention below)
- Easy reading; children will not struggle with the language
What could have been better
- Repeated criticism of Brahmins. Their "dominance" and "subjugation" of other castes is mentioned so many times that it is made to appear that all the ills and evils of the past are due to Brahmins alone. I would sense that the writer's opinion comes out strongly, rather than allowing for a dispassionate discourse of history.
All said and done however, I would recommend this book.
This book is definitely worth a consideration!
First, the positives:
- Well sequenced narrative covering a swathe of the land's history
- Largely non-judgmental (except for one part which I will mention below)
- Easy reading; children will not struggle with the language
What could have been better
- Repeated criticism of Brahmins. Their "dominance" and "subjugation" of other castes is mentioned so many times that it is made to appear that all the ills and evils of the past are due to Brahmins alone. I would sense that the writer's opinion comes out strongly, rather than allowing for a dispassionate discourse of history.
All said and done however, I would recommend this book.
October 15, 2024
It's a very difficult job to condense thousands of years' worth of history into a single, 500-page book. This was a great summary of history lessons from back in school. The author has done a great job in condensing information and relaying it in byte-sized packets which are easy to consume, with resources to help learn and read further.
I love the summaries, and the 'Elsewhere in the world' section was my favourite - really puts things in perspective. Like any history book, it's best not to consider the entire text as the only source of truth, and to do your own research before forming an opinion. However, I think the book does a great job at generating interest to pursue and read about history further.
I love the summaries, and the 'Elsewhere in the world' section was my favourite - really puts things in perspective. Like any history book, it's best not to consider the entire text as the only source of truth, and to do your own research before forming an opinion. However, I think the book does a great job at generating interest to pursue and read about history further.
May 26, 2022
While I think the writing is good - especially the way Sen Gupta addresses the young adult reader - I think this book glosses over too much history, particularly recent history. I would much prefer a children's history of India that taught the conflicts, that engaged with the grey areas and didn't shy away from some of the more unsavory aspects. Instead, what she gives us is a history that upholds the same heroes as if they have no blemishes. If children are going to invest in reading a book about history outside of school they should be rewarded with a perspective that is lacking in their school curriculum.
October 19, 2022
Does what the title says, gives an overview of the Indian continent's history in a book for children.
Great broad overview, not too bias or nationalistic for the most part (though it would have been nice to understand what the Muslim League were so scared of during the independence struggles) and really nice to have a condensed version of the Mughal and BCE time period.
Tried to give rationalised and balanced views of why groups acted the way they did, and i enjoyed the 'what's happening elsewhere' sections too.
Read as an adult and understood the nuance the author employed to get this palatable for children.
Informative.
Great broad overview, not too bias or nationalistic for the most part (though it would have been nice to understand what the Muslim League were so scared of during the independence struggles) and really nice to have a condensed version of the Mughal and BCE time period.
Tried to give rationalised and balanced views of why groups acted the way they did, and i enjoyed the 'what's happening elsewhere' sections too.
Read as an adult and understood the nuance the author employed to get this palatable for children.
Informative.
August 6, 2025
A truly interesting and enriching read. I picked this up when I was very young, and even then, it impressed me with how many facts it included — things my school history textbooks either skipped or got wrong. It’s a lovely, engaging book that makes history feel alive and exciting. I still find myself occasionally dipping back into its pages, and each time, I’m just as fascinated as I was the first time around.
Want to read
January 3, 2020Gabriel and I read section 1 on Ancient India plus a couple chapters of section 2 during his 4th grade social studies. Very good! We'd like to read the rest but had to return to the library. I'm considering purchasing our own copy.
May 15, 2020
A good book with a sweeping view through the ages. Especially liked the “elsewhere in the world” section. Witty author who says that the trick to not be intimidated by history books is to pick up what interests you. It’s a bit coloured with opinions but explorative and engaging.
July 21, 2025
This book is truly the perfect guide to the history of India. I got it from my school in grade 5 and have been using it as a companion for my history study. Not a 5 star because it wasn't always the happiest experience to be reading history.
October 9, 2019
it gives important information about mouryan dynasty. also about veda, upnishada, and puranas. i think everyone should read
January 9, 2020
It's written in a very fun way and it's very interesting too
March 21, 2020
A lot of information, but a bit dry! Too many dates.
October 31, 2020
It's a very nice book. It gives a lot of knowledge about India. This is what our class is using for studying more about India:)
December 16, 2020
This book is really good for learning all about Indian History for adults as well as kids. If as adults, anyone wants a refresher of Indian History, this is the perfect book. I totally recommend it.
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