Reclaiming Bharatavarsha

“Reclaiming Bharatavarsha” is a collection of thought-provoking essays organized around three main themes. The first theme explores various aspects of classical Bharatavarsha, which refers to India before the arrival of Islamic invaders and British colonizers. It delves into the rich cultural, social, and political life of ancient India. The second theme examines the state of India under successive foreign regimes, highlighting the changes and impacts on Indian society and culture compared to the classical era. The third theme investigates how these periods of foreign rule have influenced contemporary Indian life. Separately, each theme offers unique insights, and together they allow for a comparative analysis of the politics, culture, society, customs, and literature of different periods in India’s history.

The book covers an eclectic mix of topics, from episodes drawn from the Puranas and the Mahabharata to the sacred history of the banana, from 17th-century Bengali arrack to modern woke cinema, and from the 1962 war with China to the history of hair dyes. Each essay is rich with rare anecdotes and vivid details, all supported by thorough scholarly research. These narratives provide a deep dive into both well-known and obscure facets of Indian history and culture, making the essays both engaging and informative.

Additionally, the book places these historical and cultural analyses in a contemporary context, reflecting on the unprecedented transformation of India over the past decade. This transformation has sparked a renewed interest in reclaiming India’s national and civilizational heritage. The surge in cultural self-confidence, which had waned for centuries, is now resurging. “Reclaiming Bharatavarsha” contributes to this national endeavor, offering a humble yet significant addition to the ongoing efforts to rediscover and celebrate India’s rich past.