Contents: Preface. 1. Medieval India: confluence of two cultures. 2. Mutual impact of Hinduism and Islam. 3. Expansion of art in Indian sub-continent. 4. Indian culture and civilisation. 5. The art of ancient India. 6. Ancient India and the Rgveda. 7. The Holy books of Indo-Aryans. 8. A history of Vedic literature. 9. History of civilisation of Indian sub-continent. 10. Two great epics : Ramayana and Mahabharata and its comparative study. 11. The essence of Bhagavadgita. Index.

"It is the protective wall of Himalayas that has given to India the continuity of its civilization and social structure from the earliest times to out own days. The society described in the Mahabharata still bears many points of resemblance to what holds way in modern India. The life that the Buddha witnessed 2,500 years ago continues over the continent with no fundamental modifications. People argue about the same questions of Karma and Maya, believe in the same doctrines and lead the same lives. The rituals of marriage, birth and burial and the organisation of social relationship are not basically different. The Buddha born to-day would recognise the people of India as his own. This continuity of Indian life is the supreme gift of the Himalayan range. It is necessary therefore to emphasise that India as a concept comes into existence only with the development of Hindu civilisation." (jacket)