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2022 Karwaan Prize: Ten longlisted books that focus on the history of the Indian subcontinent

Picked by a jury, a reading list for you.

The award intends to promote and recognise recent research and publications in ancient, mediaeval, modern, and contemporary history of Indian subcontinent.

From Dasarajna to Kuruksetra: Making of a Historical Tradition, Kanad Sinha

Is it true that the ancient Indians had no sense of history? The book begins with this question and points out how the ways of perceiving the past could be culture-specific, and that the concept of historical traditions can be useful in studying the various modes of representation and memories.

Ancient India had several historical traditions and the book focuses on one of them – itihasa. The Mahabharata is the best illustration of this tradition and a historical study of the contents, with the help of contemporary sources and traditions, can restore the text in its original context.

Does this mean the Mahabharata is authentic history? This book does not claim so. However, it shows how the text originated as a critical reflection on a period and how it was reworked when it was canonised by Brahmins.

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