New Books in South Asian Studies Audrey Truschke, "India: 5,000 Years of History on the Subcontinent" (Princeton UP, 2025)
Jul 22, 2025
Audrey Truschke, a Professor of South Asian history at Rutgers University and bestselling author, discusses the rich tapestry of India's history over 5,000 years. She illuminates the diverse cultural, political, and religious landscape, touching on everything from Hinduism and Buddhism to the rise of Hindu nationalism. Key topics include ancient migrations, the impact of the Mughal Empire, and the consequences of the 1947 Partition. Truschke's engaging narrative offers a nuanced perspective, highlighting marginalized voices and the complexities of historical narratives.
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Indus Valley Civilization's Global Ties
- The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) had extensive trade and cultural connections beyond the subcontinent, including Mesopotamia.
- Artifacts like lapis lazuli and seals show IVC's importance in early global circulation of goods and ideas.
Origins of Social Hierarchy in Vedic Period
- Vedic migrations introduced social hierarchies involving Vedic communities and indigenous groups called dasas.
- These social stratifications evolved into complex caste systems theorized in Vedic traditions but their real social extent remains unclear.
Sanskrit's Shifting Role
- Sanskrit was initially limited to religious elites but the rise of Buddhism and Jainism popularized Prakrit and Pali languages.
- Sanskrit regained prominence in the 2nd century CE as a political and literary lingua franca beyond religious uses.
