In this extraordinary work, Professor R S Sharma discusses the economic, social, political and cultural aspects of Indian history from the prehistoric period to the seventh century. He explains the rise, development and spread of the early Indian cultural milieu in lucid and accessible language. Professor Sharma depicts the broad heritage of India through the political system, literature, philosophy, religion, as well as science and technology.

Professor Sharma’s seminal work translated from the Hindi, is invaluable for students, scholars and teachers of ancient Indian history.

Professor R S Sharma (1919–2011) was Professor and Head, Department of History, Delhi University. Earlier, he taught at Patna and Canada universities. He was also the founding Chairperson of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), New Delhi. He received the V K Rajwade Lifetime Award for his research and contribution to History.

Professor Sharma, who wrote in both Hindi and English, published about 80 books, several of which have been translated into different languages. His important works include: Sudras in Ancient India, Material Culture and Social Formations in Ancient India, Aspects of Political ideas and Institutions in Ancient India, Indian Feudalism, Looking for the Aryans, Advent of the Aryans in India, and Early Medieval Indian Society: A Study in Feudalisation.

The translator, Dr Binda Paranjape, is Reader, Department of History, Banaras Hindu University. She was a Fulbright-Nehru visiting lecturer in 2013–14.