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Recommended reading

A curated shelf for exam preparation and for curious readers — from NCERT basics to the standard references and the best popular histories. Every note is our own.

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All Prehistory & HarappanAncient IndiaMedieval IndiaModern IndiaWorld historyNeighbouring countriesArt & culture
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Ancient India 5

Reference

A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India

Upinder Singh · Pearson

The most complete modern textbook on ancient India, rich in sources, maps and archaeology.

UPSC Mains General reading
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Reference

Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300

Romila Thapar · Penguin

An authoritative, interpretive history of early Indian society and states.

UPSC Mains General reading
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Reference

The Wonder That Was India

A. L. Basham · Picador

A timeless, beautifully written survey of ancient Indian civilisation.

General reading
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Reference

A History of South India

K. A. Nilakanta Sastri · Oxford University Press

The classic survey of the south, from prehistory to the fall of Vijayanagara.

UPSC Mains State PSC General reading
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Reference

Ashoka in Ancient India

Nayanjot Lahiri · Permanent Black

A vivid biography of Ashoka built from his own edicts.

General reading
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