Best Indian History Books to Learn about Indian History (2024)

India is a country with a vast history and as an Indian, you must be aware of the events that took place to bring our country to the place where it stands today. Whether good or bad, we should learn about our past. Some events may teach us what to do and some may teach us what not to do. To help you learn about the vast history of our country, we bring this article to you where we have curated a list of the best Indian history books in India. These books will help you get familiar with the history of our nation. Go through the complete list of the books, find the ones that you wish to read and place your order using the buying links shared in the article below.

List of the Best Indian History Books in India

Read more about the Books section on the Top Trending Products page. Read about the Best Indian History Books in India below.

1. A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh

Taking you on a journey through India’s past from the Stone Age to the 12th century, Upinder Singh's "A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India" is a comprehensive understanding and exploration of India's rich past. Incorporating the latest research and discoveries, the book delves into political, economic, social, and cultural aspects, blending textual, archaeological, and visual sources. Overall, you will cover almost every important aspect of Indian history that you must explore.

Buy Now: A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh

2. A New History of India: From Its Origins to the Twenty-First Century by Toby Sinclair, Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Shobita Punja

Helping you explore India’s rich historical tapestry spanning from prehistoric times to modern-day, "A New History of India: From Its Origins to the Twenty-First Century" is our next suggestion on this list. The trio of writers, Toby Sinclair, Rudrangshu Mukherjee and Shobita Punja vividly covers India's journey through major epochs, civilizations, and pivotal events. To make the book even interesting, you will find full-colour maps and photographs explaining the important aspects of the nation including cultural, social, and political evolution.

Buy Now: A New History of India: From Its Origins to the Twenty-First Century by Toby Sinclair, Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Shobita Punja

3. India that is Bharat by J Sai Deepak

The first trilogy by J Sai Deepak, "India that is Bharat" explores the impact of European colonialism on India's cultural, religious, and constitutional identity. It examines the concept of 'coloniality'—the enduring mindset and cultural imprint left by colonialism—and its influence on India's evolution as a nation. Overall, it covers colonial consciousness, impact on Indian constitution, decoloniality using historical context and highlighting milestones like the Government of India Act of 1919 and the League of Nations' founding, and their impact on India's trajectory.

Buy Now: India that is Bharat by J Sai Deepak

4. INDIA : A History by KEAY JOHN

INDIA : A History by KEAY JOHN offers a comprehensive history of India spanning from ancient times to the present day. It covers the social, economic, political, and cultural evolution of the Indian subcontinent over five millennia. You shall find all the significant events in this book including the Indus Valley Civilization, the influence of Alexander the Great, the Mughal Empire, British colonial rule, partition, and the subsequent development of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India as independent nations.

Buy Now: INDIA : A History by KEAY JOHN

5. A HISTORY OF SOUTH INDIA (OIP): From Prehistoric Times To the Fall of Vijayanagar by Sastri K.A.Nilakanta; R.Champakalakshmi

If you are precisely interested in the history of South India, you must go through "A History of South India" by K.A. Nilakanta Sastri. This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the region from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. This classic book will explore lesser-known dynasties, covering socio-economic, political, and cultural developments. Highlighting pivotal empires like the Cholas, Pallavas, and Vijayanagar, it covers the most important parts of South India's rich historical tapestry.

Buy Now: A HISTORY OF SOUTH INDIA (OIP): From Prehistoric Times To the Fall of Vijayanagar by Sastri K.A.Nilakanta; R.Champakalakshmi

6. A Children's History of India in 100 Objects by Devika Cariapa

If you are trying to get your hands on a book that helps your child learn about Indian history, then we suggest you check out "A Children's History of India in 100 Objects" by Devika Cariapa. Through vibrant illustrations and engaging narratives, the book takes the readers on a captivating journey through Indian history using 100 diverse artefacts. From a stone-age hand axe to the Koh-i-Noor diamond and an HMT watch, each object tells a unique story of India's rich cultural tapestry in this book.

Buy Now: A Children's History of India in 100 Objects by Devika Cariapa

7. A CHILDREN'S HISTORY OF INDIA by Subhadra Sen Gupta

Give your child an interesting start to learning about the history of the country with "A Children's History of India" by Subhdra Sen Gupta. Blending narrative storytelling, illustrations, and interactive elements together in this book, it makes it easy for the young historians to learn about Indian history. It not only aims at informing the kids about Indian history but also puts an effort in helping the readers appreciate the vast and diverse history of India.

Buy Now: A CHILDREN'S HISTORY OF INDIA by Subhadra Sen Gupta

8. ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF INDIA by Wilco Books

The "Illustrated History of India" by Wilco Books offers a comprehensive exploration of India's rich cultural heritage and historical evolution. Spanning from the Vedic period to independence in 1947 and beyond, this book vividly portrays India's ancient civilizations, dynasties, and significant cultural contributions. It features captivating illustrations alongside detailed narratives, making it an engaging resource for both young readers and history enthusiasts alike.

Buy Now: ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF INDIA by Wilco Books

9. Complete History of India by Roshen Dalal

"A Complete History of India" by Roshen Dalal provides a comprehensive journey through India's rich past, from its earliest civilizations to modern times. This well-researched book covers key historical events, including the Harappan civilization, the advent of Buddhism and Jainism, mediaeval dynasties, British rule, and India's path to independence. It also explores cultural milestones, Gandhi's role in the freedom struggle, and post-independence developments.

Buy Now: Complete History of India by Roshen Dalal

10. India's Struggle For Independence : 1857-1947 by Bipan Chandra

Last but not least, "Bipan Chandra's 'India's Struggle For Independence: 1857-1947' provides a comprehensive exploration of India's freedom movement against British rule. Covering key events like the First War of Independence, Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation and civil disobedience movements, and Subash Chandra Bose's leadership, this book offers a detailed narrative enriched by diverse oral and written sources.

Buy Now: India's Struggle For Independence : 1857-1947 by Bipan Chandra

Some highly recommended books on Indian history include:

"India After Gandhi" by Ramachandra Guha

"The Discovery of India" by Jawaharlal Nehru

"The Wonder That Was India" by A.L. Basham

Similar Products for You:

The Penguin History of Early India : From the Origins to AD 1300 by Romila Thapar (Author)

The Incredible History of India's Geography by Sanyal Sanjeev

The Forgotten History of India (Indian History after Post Independence & India Since Independence) by Arun Anand

Similar Articles for You:

Best Books on Arjuna: The Greatest Warrior Heroes of Indian Mythology

Balaji Srinivasan Recommended Books to Tickle Your Insightful Side and Intellectual Curiosity

Ram Chandra Series Books: Relive the Hindu Epic of the Ramayana (2023)

Best Gaur Gopal Das Books: Find the Ultimate Inner Peace and Personal Growth (2023)

Best Books on Investing on Amazon to Improve Returns on Your Investment

Best Books on Human Psychology in India to Understand Human Behaviour

Frequently Asked Questions: Best Indian History Books in India

Q1. What book provides a comprehensive overview of India's independence movement?

Ans: If you wish to get a comprehensive overview of India’s independence movement, then you must read "India's Struggle for Independence" by Bipan Chandra.

Q2. Which book is considered a classic for understanding ancient Indian civilization?

Ans: To understand the ancient Indian civilization, you should read "The Wonder That Was India" by A.L. Basham.

Q3. Can you suggest a book that explores the history of India's partition?

Ans: If you are interested in learning more about India's partition, then we suggest you read the pages of "The Great Partition: The Making of India and Pakistan" by Yasmin Khan that explore the history and impact of India’s partition in 1947.