The Discovery of IndiaGives an understanding of the glorious intellectual and spiritual tradition of (a) great country.' Albert EinsteinWritten over five months when Jawaharlal Nehru was imprisoned in the Ahmadnagar Fort, The Discovery of India has acquired the status of a classic since it was first published in 1946. In this work of prodigious scope and scholarship, one of the greatest figures of Indian history unfolds the panorama of the country's rich and complex past, from prehistory to the last years of British colonial rule. Analysing texts like the Vedas and the Arthashastra, and personalities like the Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru brings alive an ancient culture that has seen the flowering of the world's great traditions of philosophy, science and art, and almost all its major religions. Nehru's brilliant intellect, deep humanity and lucid style make The Discovery of India essential reading for anyone interested in India, both its past and its present. |
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accepted action activities ancient appears approach areas Asia attempt authority became become belief Bengal British Buddhism called caste cause Central century China civilization classes common Congress considered continued course culture desire dominant early economic effect empire England especially essential Europe existence fact faith feeling followed forces foreign freedom function future give Government growth Hindu human ideas important India individual industry inevitably influence interests kind land language later lead limited living looked masses matter means methods mind Muslim nature organization past period Persian philosophy political possible practice present probably problems produced progress provinces religion remained represented rule Sanskrit seemed sense social sometimes spirit spread structure taken things thought took tradition truth United vast whole