Author

Kamlesh Kapur, an
educator and researcher,
has a Masters in
Economics from Punjab
University, and a
Masters in Education
from St. Johns
University, USA. She
was among the first twenty women to be directly
selected in the Indian Central Services. Kamlesh
Kapur has had a long association with secondary
school students. For over twenty years she taught
World History and Global cultures using various
prescribed textbooks. After completing a
comprehensive review of the Indian history sections
of these textbooks, she found numerous inaccuracies
and outdated theories. She spearheaded the
movement for correcting the content and developing
an appropriate program of study based on recent
discoveries emanating from various fields of
research. She has a long term commitment for
preparing young students for multiethnic
demography in all the countries. She has also
prepared lessons and techniques for teaching subjects
such as Cultural Diversity, Pluralism and
Multiculturalism.

Sterling Publishers
Hardbound 704pp Size: 7"x9.75" $ 59.99
Soft cover same size, $ 45.99
Available from the author, contact:
kamleshk@cox.net

ENDORSEMENT
Yes, this is a very important and well done
publication, a model for other scholars to
follow. The geographical and cultural
continuity is a key point to emphasize, such as
we noted in Hidden Horizons. India does not
have a borrowed civilization from immigrants
but reflects largely an indigenous development.
- Vamadeva (David Frawley)

Portraits of a Nation

History of
Ancient India

There has been a momentous shift of paradigms

regarding the historical view of ancient Indian
civilization brought about by new
archaeological, geological and more recently by
genetic findings of the last two or three decades.
Kamlesh Kapur has filtered the material from
primary sources, research papers and
monographs and has presented the material in a
very lucid and engaging style in a text suitable
for high school students.
- B. N. Narahari Achar, Professor of Physics
The University of Memphis
Portraits of a Nation History of Ancient
India is a timely book. Kamlesh Kapurs
pioneering book brings together latest scholarly
findings to provide a rational understanding of
Indian civilization. I recommend it strongly for
use in schools and for self-study.
- Subhash Kak, Professor
Oklahoma State University
India being the oldest living civilization today,
and Indian diaspora increasing dramatically in
the United States, a need for an authentic book
with accurate and contextualized information
has long existed. Portraits of a Nation History
of Ancient India is a very timely book that
meets that need.
- Bal Ram Singh, Professor
Director Center for Indic Studies,
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Kamlesh Kapur
2010 ISBN9788120752122

Portraits of a Nation

History of Ancient
India
Kamlesh Kapur
2010 ISBN9788120752122

The history of India has been written and

rewritten several times, each time with a
different context. Historical narratives act as a
powerful vehicle of culture and tradition from
generation to generation. Therefore it is
essential to give an authentic narrative of
Indias past using all the new evidence which
has surfaced through archaeological excavation
in the Indus-Sarasvati region. Researches in the
field of ecology, natural history and genetics
have given us enough pointers enabling us to
write a fairly accurate history of Ancient India.
This book ties up all this new evidence with the
internal evidence from the literary sources.
Discarding several theories and assumptions, it
focuses attention on the contributions of Indian
civilization and culture to mankind. It is a
comprehensive work highlighting those
historical events and developments which left
significant impact on the heritage of mankind.
Presented in a non invasionist model, this book
attempts to reclaim the accurate chronology of
Ancient Indian history and do away with many
myths
and
prevailing
misconceptions
surrounding it. Supplemented by numerous
photographs and illustrations of ancient relics,
inscriptions and maps, it makes an interesting
read meant for students and general readers.

Foreword Acknowledgments Preface

List of Maps Abbreviations

of Medicine and Surgery in Ancient India The

Science of Ayurveda Impact of Indian Culture
and Indian Civilization Music, Dance and
Drama in Ancient India Women in Ancient
India

SECTION ONE
Historiography

SECTION FOUR
History of Southern India

Science of Historiography Questions of

Approach Sources of History and Historical
Evidence Honesty in Sifting Evidence and
Problems of Interpretation

Early History The Satvahana Dynasty of

Western India The Kadamba Dynasty The
Ganga Dynasty The Chalukyas of Badami
The Pallava Dynasty The Rashtrakuta
Dynasty The Imperial Cholas and Pandyas
Kalinga and Odisha Contributions of
Southern India Epilogue Bibliography
Glossary index

Contents

SECTION TWO
Origin of Civilization and the Rise of Early
Dynasties
Geography of India Beginnings of Indian
Civilization and European Time Frame
Submerged Cities and Advanced Civilizations
in Ancient India Homeland of Early Indian
The Vedic Age Vedic Age and the
Technologically Advanced Indus-Sarasvati
Civilization Vedic Religion Hinduism
Indian Culture Indian Society and the Varna
Dharma The Age of Epics The Rise of
Buddhism and Jainism Zoroastrianism The
Age of Assimilation and Expansion of Ideas

SECTION THREE
Ancient India during 600 B.C. to 1000 A.D.
The Rise of Magadha Empire The Invasion of
Alexander and its Impact The Maurya
Dynasty Intervening Period and the Kushana
Era The Gupta Period Invasion by Huns
and Rise of the Vardhana Dynasty Pratiharas,
Paramaras, Palas Indias Contributions to the
World of Ideas The Contributions of Ancient
India to the Civilization of Mankind History

Sterling Publishers
Hardbound 704pp Size: 7"x9.75" $ 59.99
Soft cover same size, $ 45.99
Available from the author, contact:
kamleshk@cox.net