3 Review(s)

India: An Introduction is a highly recommended book for those who wish to get to know about a complex and ancient civilization. The author, Khushwant Singh’s, fascination with the subject is very evident and is contagious. It is shown on every page and every sidelight that he narrates. Summary of the Book The book is a recollection of the story of the land and its people from the early days to today. The book, which is widely read by writers and journalists, puts together everything major and minor that has taken place in India for the past five millennia. He explains how all of this has helped it evolve over centuries to the India of today. The writing offers insights into everything Indian that catches the eye of a person or arouses their curiosity about the nation. Some of these include: the ethnic diversity, religions, customs, philosophy, art and culture, politics and the great population of men and women who have contributed to shaping the complex ways of the nation. It also mentions and elaborates on the beautiful architecture of India, its art and literature. The book is perfect for anyone who has any interest in the country. It is a very fitting companion for the traveller. About Khushwant Singh Khushwant Singh was an Anglo-Indian writer, advocate, politician and journalist. A Padma Vibhushan awardee, Mr. Singh is best remembered for his humour, love of poetry and his vigourous treatment of secularism in his writings, most evident in: The Company of Women, Truth, Love and a Little Malice, With Malice towards One and All, The Mark of Vishnu and Other Stories and Delhi: A Novel. A graduate of Government College, Lahore, St. Stephen's College in Delhi and King's College London, he read for the Bar at the Inner Temple and served as a practicing lawyer for nearly fifteen years before entering journalism. He has worked with The Illustrated Weekly, The National Herald and Hindustan Times. A prolific writer, Mr. Singh wrote till the grand old age of 99, releasing his last work The Good, The Bad and The Ridiculous a few months before his passing in March 2014.