The Golden Road : How Ancient India Transformed the World
(Autor) William DalrympleTHE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER A Waterstones and TIMES HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR A SPECTATOR and History Today BOOK OF THE YEAR A revolutionary new history of the diffusion of Indian ideas, from the award-winning, bestselling author and co-host of the chart-topping Empire podcast 'Richly woven, highly readable ... Written with passion and verve' Spectator 'Dazzling ... Not just a historical study but also a love letter' Guardian 'An outstanding new account ... The most compelling retelling we have had for generations' Financial Times India is the forgotten heart of the ancient world For a millennium and a half, India was a confident exporter of its diverse civilisation, creating around it a vast empire of ideas. Indian art, religions, technology, astronomy, music, dance, literature, mathematics and mythology blazed a trail across the world, along a Golden Road that stretched from the Red Sea to the Pacific. William Dalrymple draws from a lifetime of scholarship to highlight India's oft-forgotten position as the heart of ancient Eurasia. For the first time, he gives a name to this spread of Indian ideas that transformed the world. From the largest Hindu temple in the world at Angkor Wat to the Buddhism of China, from the trade that helped fund the Roman Empire to the creation of the numerals we use today (including zero), India transformed the culture and technology of its ancient world - and our world today as we know it. Praise for William Dalrymple and The Anarchy 'A superb historian with a visceral understanding of India' The Times 'Magnificently readable, deeply researched and richly atmospheric' Francis Wheen, Mail on Sunday
William Dalrymple
William Dalrymple is a Scottish historian, writer, and journalist known for his works on India and the Middle East. His notable works include "City of Djinns," "The Last Mughal," and "Return of a King," which have received critical acclaim for their detailed research and engaging narrative style. Dalrymple's writing blends history, travelogue, and biography, offering readers a rich and immersive experience of the places and people he explores. His works have had a significant impact on the genre of historical non-fiction, shedding light on lesser-known stories and perspectives from the past. "City of Djinns" is considered his most famous work, capturing the essence of Delhi and its complex history with vivid storytelling and meticulous research. Dalrymple's contributions to literature have earned him numerous awards and accolades, establishing him as a leading voice in the field of historical writing.