The Shortest History of India: From the Worlds Oldest Civilization to Its Largest DemocracyA Retelling for Our Times

5,000 years of historyfrom the Bhagavad Gita to Bollywoodfill this masterful portrait of the worlds most populous nation and a rising global power. The Shortest History books deliver thousands of years of history in one riveting, fast-paced read. Indiaa cradle of civilization with five millennia of history, a country of immense consequence and contradictionoften defies ready understanding. What holds its people togetheracross its many cultures, races, languages, and creedsand how has India evolved into the liberal democracy it is today? From the Harappan era to Muslim invasions, the Great Mughals, British rule, independence, and present-day hopes, John Zubrzycki distills Indias colossal history into a gripping true story filled with legendary lives: Alexander the Great, Akbar, Robert Clive, Tipu Sultan, Lakshmi Bai, Lord Curzon, Jinnah, and Gandhi. Indias gifts to the world include Buddhism, yoga, the concept of zero, the largest global diasporaand its influence is only growing. Already the worlds largest democracy, in 2023, India became the most populous nation. Can India overcome its political, social, and religious tensions to be the next global superpower? As the world watchesand wondersthis Shortest History is an essential, clarifying read. 50 B&W illustrations