The Wonder That Was India

Basham's survey of Indian civilisation before the coming of the Muslims, first published in 1954, covers prehistory and the Harappan cities, the Vedic age, the Mauryan and Gupta empires, and the kingdoms of the south. Alongside political history he describes religion, social life, law, art, literature, science and language.

Generations of readers have come to ancient India through this book. Some of its scholarship has been overtaken, particularly on the Harappan period and early migrations, but its breadth, its affection for its subject and the clarity of its writing keep it a classic.