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Synopsis This volume succinctly recounts 4500 years of Indian history, from the earliest Indus valley settlements to the twentieth-century struggle against British imperial rule, including the challenges facing the country today. Sections on cultural traditions, regional cuisine, dress, and religion bring the varied facets of this nation to life. The process of learning about India while writing this book was an adventure in itself. We had the formidable task of bringing together the many works on this subject to create a concise account. As we explored the history and heritage of India, we decided not to provide a mere catalog of facts and dates, but chose to share many of the moving, dramatic, and varied mythos and legends that we discovered. Part of this book provides a brief overview of India's political and economic history, from 2500 BCE to the present. Part II describes the nation's culture, including religion, customs and rituals, the arts, and cuisine.