A Short History of India

The world's largest democracy and second-most populous country, 21st century India is a dynamicnation with a thrusting economy, made up of a variety of beliefs and peoples united under one flag. Itshistory is a unique story of ancient empires and civilisations, some dating back to humankind's earliesttimes. Ancient India was home to myriad kingdoms with boundaries that were ever changing while avariety of cultures and religions have flourished over the millennia as the influence of foreign invadersand occupiers has come and gone. The country was under foreign rule from the early 1800s until thedemise of the British Raj and independence in 1947. With countless languages and cultures and many religions, India is one of the world's most diversenations. From the late 1980s, India has opened itself to the outside world, encouraging economic reformand foreign investment and is now courted by the world's leading economic and political powers,including its one-time enemy, China. It is now a major power with a burgeoning middle class, havingmade substantial strides in areas such as information technology. It has launched a space programmeand, famously, boasts a massive film industry, its 'Bollywood' films being amongst the most-watched inthe world. Meanwhile, India still has major issues with poverty and illiteracy and campaigns have beenlaunched to alleviate these problems. A Short History of India traces the fascinating path from the India of ancient empires and powerfulkingdoms to the flourishing, vibrant nation that it is today.