Audrey Truschke discusses her book on 5000 years of South Asian history, starting with the Indus Valley Civilization around 2600 BCE. She explains the choice of 5000 years, including a brief account of early human migration 120,000 years ago. Truschke emphasizes the importance of diverse voices, particularly women and oppressed castes, in her narrative. She critiques political appropriations of the Indus civilization and highlights the book's non-nationalist approach, covering historical connections, cultural exports, and the evolution of Hindu nationalism. She was in conversation with The Indian Express’ Adrija Roy Chowdhury.
Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar
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