Life in Ancient India

The book delves into ancient India, a realm perceived as enchanting and fascinating, glowing with golden radiance and eternal sunshine. The stories from childhood recount magicians and jugglers performing amidst lush landscapes adorned with fragrant flowers, precious gems, and fabrics from India. In ancient literature, India holds a mysterious allure, sought after by illustrious expeditions led by figures like Bacchus and Sesostris. As historical records emerge from the past, India emerges as the resplendent eastern boundary of Earth. India is portrayed as a land of opulence, where princes, seated regally on elephants, offer tribute adorned with solid gold. However, its romance transcends material wealth. India’s natural history and geography captivate with golden ant-hills mentioned by Herodotus, trees sheltering vast armies, and boundless rivers. The country is steeped in enchantment and wonder, suffusing its sciences, metaphysics, and mythology with rainbow-tinted hues. The name “India” originates from the Sanskrit word “Sindh,” marking its western boundary. Geographically, “Hindustan” covers the northern part of India, while “India” encompasses the entire country from the Himalayas to Cape Comorin. India’s vast and diverse territory presents intriguing subjects for exploration, including physical features, inhabitants, and governments. It can be divided into four sections: Punjauh, Sindh, Rajputana, Malwa, Guzerat, and the Nerhudda River; the Peninsula; Plains of the Ganges; and Bengal. This classification unveils the earliest Sanskrit-speaking regions, ancient trade routes, historical Brahmanical sites, and centers of modern British influence.