Over 5,000 years, India has been home to a rich tapestry of cultures, and the lands east of the Indus River have long been a hub for trade and cultural exchange. Today the subcontinent contains 20% of the world's population and is an economic powerhouse. Go inside this thrilling story with A History of India, a breathtaking survey of South Asia from its earliest societies through the challenges of the 21st century.
A History of India
An award winning professor takes you on a breathtaking survey of South Asia from its earliest societies to the modern challenges.
Rated 1 out of
5
by
Aesop from
Disappointing
Professor clearly reads from a teleprompter inexpertly; he often seems to be at the end of a sentence but then he apparently notices that the statement continues. His lectures are devoid of animation or feeling. He seems to pride himself on the correct pronunciation of foreign words and names but shows off by uttering them at such a brisk clip that the pronunciation is difficult for the listener to comprehend.
Date published: 2024-01-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Darius from
Thoroughly enjoyed!
This course offers an enriching exploration of India’s history and its eventual partition in 1947. Dr. Fisher demonstrated deep knowledge, adeptly covering the large material with a well-balanced presentation. The course is both interesting and informative, making it a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience.
Date published: 2024-01-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Carlin from
Fantastic Introduction to History of India !!
I loved this course. Before taking this course I knew nothing about Indian history except that Britain colonized it for over one hundred years. After taking this course, I understand the complexity and the great length of India's history and its many peoples / cultures. I can now carry on a decent conversation about this part of the world.
Date published: 2023-05-20
Rated 5 out of
5
by
U Vaidya from
Very informative course
The instructor is very knowledgeable, and the information is well-organized. I learned a lot despite having grown up in India and having studied most of the topics he covered through my school years. His presentation style is a bit dry, but you get used to it after a few lectures. The content is very interesting. This course can be improved by adding an extra lecture on the Maratha empire and the century in which the Marathas dominated, which he rushed through. Overall, it was time well spent. I highly recommend this series if you have an interest in the Indian subcontinent
Date published: 2023-01-05
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Mundaje from
A History of India
I bought over 20 courses, but this is the first I am writing a review because I do not agree with some of the negative comments. I wanted to buy this course for some time but heisted because of the many negative comments. Finally, when I completed watching the course, I realized how wrong some of the comments were. I would give this course 5* even though the chapter 13 does not include some other southern major kingdoms like Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Rastrakutas, Hoysala, etc. and mis pronunciation of some of the words.
Some people may find it boring because the history is such and no way to sugar coat it. Those who are not familiar with India, the history is little harder than Greece, China, and Egypt where mostly the county is ruled by one ruler at a time. The Prof describes how the 3 sets of people namely Adivasis, Indus valley civilization & Aryan invasion shaped the county. Muslims, Moguls & British ruled India for centuries. Portuguese, French and Dutch also carved out some territories. There were hundreds of kingdoms who fought with one another and generally these kingdoms did not last for long. Indian history is not complete without the discussion of various religions starting with Vedic period, Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism & Sikhism. India is also blessed with the foreign religions like Parsis, Jews, Christianity & Islam. Too many invasions, kingdoms, events and the unfamiliar names may make harder to digest. However, I think Prof. Fisher did a good job. He also walked a fine line between the various religions, current day political parties and came to a generally accepted conclusion. That itself is great feat!!
Date published: 2022-07-06
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Cortez seeing the Pacific from
Outstanding Analysis of India Past and Present
Dr. Fisher is a clear speaker, an objective scholar and able to relate Indian traditions to contemporary political and economic trends. He presents -- and distinguishes -- how the peoples of South Asia have understood themselves from the way in which outside scholars have interpreted them, on the basis of social scientific concepts of class, history and language.
The student receives a sympathetic understanding of the country, as well as of the peoples (Muslims, Portuguese, British and other) who have come to the country to trade and to rule since Roman times.
I have a doctorate in a different field and area of study (political science), but I believe that this course is clear enough to engage any person. There is no use of academic jargon. Many aspects of Indian history -- such as the caste and occupational structure, and the role of both the indigenous inhabitants, the Dalits (formerly called either "untouchables" or -- by Gandhi -- "Harijans", and their contemporary political role, come alive in the lectures. The same is true in his discussion of the Europeans who came to India from 1500 C.E., and of how they were perceived by the different social groups -- and the development and exploitation that resulted.
Dr. Fisher's treatment of Indian leaders is perhaps slightly more sympathetic than that of the Muslim League, but (to my mind) he tries to understand how all of them -- whether secular, religious, or even the few who were pro-German and pro-Japanese during the Second World War.
In short, it was a pleasure to learn from this fine scholar and lecturer.
Date published: 2022-06-08
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Poetviolinist from
Extremely good history of India - great job!
The History of India is an excellent overview with a lot of wonderful elements! I knew a little about the history of India when I started, and was delighted to learn the history, culture, politics, military, food, economics, religion, literature, and much more, about this extremely important part of the world. The presentation is extremely fair, even up to present day events in the last lecture. My knowledge about India going into this course was very basic, I would describe my knowledge now as intermediate, and that's a wonderful result of viewing this course!
The professor mentions the richness and diversity of the region many times, but there are very few images, recordings, or videos of this richness in this course. The course piqued my interest so much that I'd like to learn more, but I did not see anything in the video (I watched on DVD) that linked to other resources for more learning. As an example, The History of Ancient Egypt with Bob Brier finishes with a number of recommendations and organizations to learn more about Egypt. Something like that would be good in many courses, such as the History of India. I would definitely have taken action if the professor was able to present the information.
Overall an EXCELLENT overview of India. The professor did not hide the problems and issues of the area, nor overstate the good, so it is a very honest and fair picture from the beginning of recorded history to the present day. It's a lot to cover, and it was done extremely well! Congratulations to everyone involved in the production of this excellent course!
Date published: 2022-04-10
Rated 5 out of
5
by
PM Reddy from
History of India
I bought this month ago and I am still in the process of listening to the lectures. I have enjoyed very much of the content so far. I would certainly recommend.
Date published: 2022-03-27
Overview
About
Dr. Michael H. Fisher is the Robert S. Danforth Professor of History at Oberlin College, where he offers a range of courses on the history of South Asia, the environmental history of the Indian subcontinent, Pakistan, Mahatma Gandhi, and early travel narratives about India. He earned his M.A. and his Ph.D. in History with a concentration on South Asia from the University of Chicago. He also holds a B.A. in English from Trinity College. Professor Fisher has published 12 books and more than 50 articles on aspects of Indian history. His special interests include the interactions between Indians and Europeans, both in India and in Europe, from the 16th century onward. His books include biographies of Indian settlers and visitors to Britain and histories of the British Empire as it originated and developed in India. His most recent book is A Short History of the Mughal Empire. Since 1971, Professor Fisher has lived, researched, and taught for long periods in India, with briefer trips to Pakistan and Bangladesh. He has been a visiting faculty fellow at the University of Delhi, University of Hyderabad, University of Allahabad, Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, and the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh. Professor Fisher has also served on the major committees of the American Historical Association and the American Institute of Indian Studies, among others.
Trailer
01: Earliest History of the Indian Subcontinent
Begin your study millions of years ago, when plate tectonics shaped the subcontinent's mountains, plateaus, and river systems, which in turn have affected the region's weather, agriculture, and cultural diversity. Review South Asia's four macro-regions and see how geography has guided the course of life....
33 min
02: Migration and the Adivasi
Three main cultures inhabited the ancient Indian subcontinent. In this lecture, you'll study the first group, the Adivasi, aboriginal forest dwellers who once comprised the entirety of South Asia's population. See how genetic and linguistic analysis informs us about the Adivasi of 30,000 years ago-and learn about their status in India today....
34 min
03: Indus Valley Civilization
Turn to the second group of ancient Indian communities: the urban people of the Indus Valley. Many mysteries abound regarding this long-lost Bronze Age civilization, but Professor Fisher takes you through excavated cities, examines art and artifacts, and reveals what we know about this intriguing society-and what may have happened to them....
31 min
04: Indo-European Vedic Culture
Explore the ancient foundations of Hinduism, which emerged from a diverse community of people who identified themselves with the Vedas. By studying these sacred poems and hymns, you'll discover much about this civilization's culture and cosmology. You'll also trace the origins and development of the Indo-European language in this fascinating lecture....
31 min
05: Caste: Varna and Jati
The Vedic caste system is one of the most well-known aspects of Hindu society-and also one of the most misunderstood. Find out about the ancient Vedic social order (or Varnas), how it structured society, and how numerous inherited social groups (or Jatis) relate to occupation, creating a diverse and complex society....
30 min
06: Epic Literature: Ramayana
Delve into the first Indian epic: the Ramayana, which is a poem, a love story, a morality tale, and much more. Discover the story of Prince Rama, his faithful wife, Sita, and the gods that control their lives. It is also an important source for many of the historical details we have about the era....
31 min
07: Epic History: Mahabharata
Shift your attention to India's other major epic, the Mahabharata, which is the longest major text in human history (clocking in at a whopping 1.8 million words). After examining the sources and style of this epic, Professor Fisher surveys its plot and shows what it means from the "emic" perspective of Indians as well as the "etic" perspective of outsiders....
30 min
08: Dharma in the Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is arguably one of the most famous texts in world history. Explore the origins and context for the story, delve into the complexities of philosophy and religion that the narrative contains, and understand why it has resonated throughout Indian history and around the world. See how its wisdom is still the basis for Hinduism today....
28 min
09: The Origins and Rise of Jainism
In 500 B.C.E., the old Vedic social order was changing as the merchant classes began to achieve upward mobility. Along with these radical cultural and economic changes, alternative religious models emerged to compete with the Vedic cosmology. Here, you'll survey Jainism's origins and philosophy, which require a life of total nonviolence....
30 min
10: The Origins and Rise of Buddhism
Along with the rise of Jainism, 500 B.C.E. also saw the adoption of Buddhism as an alternative to the Vedic tradition. Delve into the life of Siddhartha Gautama and the tenets of his philosophy, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold Path to enlightenment. Then find out how these ideas developed and spread across Asia....
29 min
11: The Mauryan Empire
Because South Asia is such a large and diverse region, it has seldom been unified under one ruler. But around the time Jainism and Buddhism began challenging the old social order, Chandragupta was able to consolidate and form the subcontinent's first major empire. Uncover the trajectory of his life and the conditions that allowed him to build the Mauryan Empire....
31 min
12: Ashoka's Imperial Buddhism
Continue your study of the Mauryan Empire with Chandragupta's grandson, Emperor Ashoka, who even today is likely the most famous individual from ancient India. After consolidating his territory in a vicious war, Ashoka became a Buddhist and a model benevolent ruler....
30 min
13: Deccani and Southern States
Brahmin culture was never as strong in southern India as it was in the north, which meant a diverse range of societies were able to flourish on the Deccan plateau. After explaining some of the region's historical trends, Professor Fisher highlights the distinctive features and interactions of a few prominent southern kingdoms....
31 min
14: Northwest and North India
In the wake of the Mauryan Empire's collapse, many regional dynasties emerged across the north and northwest. Unpack the fascinating history of these two macro-regions. Learn about several of the major ethnic groups and the Silk Road trade routes, and then round out the lecture with a study of the famous Gupta dynasty....
31 min
15: Brahmanic Synthesis
While the regional governments remained fragmented at the turn of the Common Era, the Brahmins worked to rebuild their cultural prominence. They formally developed what is today Hinduism, thanks to a series of written manuals, or shastras, which lay out the principles of an ideal life-including notions of dharma, kama, artha, and moksha....
30 min
16: Indian Parsis, Jews, and Christians
South Asia has always been a distinctly diverse region, incorporating numerous communities of outsiders who came to the subcontinent via the coasts or across the mountains. Explore the worlds of Parsis, Jews, and Christians in India, and see how they interacted with Hindu society....
30 min
17: Islam Comes to India
Islam has had a profound impact on South Asia, and today the region has the largest Muslim population in the world. After surveying the history and pillars of Islam and its origins in the Middle East, Professor Fisher examines how many people of South Asia became Muslim via trade, invasion, devotion, or personal motivation....
30 min
18: Indian Sultans
The binary opposition between Hindus and Muslims oversimplifies what has always been a complex relationship. Here, you'll study that relationship as you meet some of the most prominent Muslim rulers, or Sultans, from the 9th to the 16th centuries. Explore their kingdoms throughout India and their legacies....
31 min
19: The Early Mughal Empire
In this first of several lectures on the great Mughal Empire, you'll meet a Central Asian adventurer named Babur, who rode into South Asia from Kabul and conquered the Delhi sultanate. Then witness the checkered career of his son, who almost lost the empire before it could really get started....
33 min
20: The Reign of Emperor Akbar
Continue your study of the Mughal Empire by tracing the rule of Emperor Akbar. During his dramatic five-decade reign, he truly established the empire for the long term thanks to several key initiatives: drawing regional rulers into his army, encouraging interreligious marriage, transforming the administrative system, and creating an imperial ideology based on various mystical ideas and practices....
35 min
21: Later Mughal Emperors
Succession is a key challenge for any empire. As Emperor Akbar aged, follow the rise of his son, Jahangir, who, once emperor, ruled with aplomb and introduced many new innovations to the subcontinent. His own son, Shah Jahan, then constructed the Peacock Throne, the Taj Mahal, and other glorious architectural triumphs....
33 min
22: The Mughals and the Marathas
The 17th century saw the slow decline of the Mughal Empire during the reign of Emperor Alamgir (also called Aurangzeb). As he aged, he drew the empire into war with the Deccan-based Marathas, who were led by the skillful warrior Shivaji. Watch as the Marathas humiliate the Mughals and establish their own powerful regional identity....
32 min
23: Competing European Empires
Now turn from the subcontinent inlands to the sea, where European traders began arriving on the Indian coast to establish global companies, including several East India companies. After surveying Portugal's 200-year dominance of trade, Professor Fisher shows how the English eventually established their own foothold in the market....
29 min
24: The British East India Company
Witness the rise of the British East India Company and find out how it coincided with the rise of British imperialism. Company leaders often sought glory and expansion, which led to greater British influence and control of South Asia via joint-stock corporations. Take an inside look at these radical developments in the 18th and 19th centuries....
32 min
25: The Issues and Events of 1857
Tension between the British and the South Asians came to a boil in 1857, when a group of Indian soldiers rose up against the British army-to disastrous consequences. Consider the context and historical impact of this pivotal year, which forever changed the nature of British rule in India....
29 min
26: The British Raj and Early Nationalism
Continue your study of Indian and British relations with a detailed look at the British Raj, a 90-year period of colonialism that stretched from the 1857 uprising to the region's independence in 1947. Gain insight into Britain's racist policies, and view the beginnings of the subcontinent's struggle for political autonomy....
31 min
27: India and Indians in the World
Whether as students, soldiers, or servants, South Asians who left the subcontinent contributed significantly to the cultural exchange among China, continental Europe, and Great Britain. And whereas the British Raj relied on segregation for political control, Indian immigrants in Britain found greater freedom. Reflect on the impact of South Asians throughout the world....
31 min
28: Mahatma Gandhi
Learn about the life of Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi, who is perhaps the 20th century's most well-regarded political activist. You'll trace his life from his young manhood in India to his education in Britain to his activism in South Africa and India. In this lecture, an admirable-but complex-figure emerges....
29 min
29: Nationalists Ambedkar, Bose, and Jinnah
While Gandhi advocated one path for reform, many of his contemporaries offered other ways to promote the rights of lower classes and Muslims. Meet Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, three influential social and political leaders, and review their approaches toward national independence and people's rights....
30 min
30: The Partition of 1947
After World War II, a tense series of events led the subcontinent's brutal partition into India and Pakistan-majority Hindu and Muslim nations, respectively. Find out how the British, battered by the war, ceded their empire and hastily created two nation-states whose borders and contested identities left a troubled legacy felt even today....
30 min
31: West and East Pakistan
Between 1947 and 1971, Pakistan was a divided state: separated into East and West, and strained along ethnic lines. The early years of the nation saw numerous coups and uprisings, as well as border wars with India, particularly in Kashmir. Consider the role geography and ethnicity played in the distribution of power....
28 min
32: The New Pakistan
Review the story of Pakistan from 1971 to the present. As you survey one shift of power after another, you will meet leaders such as General Zia, Benazir Bhutto, General Musharraf, and Nawaz Sharif. At the end of this lecture, you will have a complete sense of Pakistani history through today....
30 min
33: Independent Bangladesh
Bangladesh-formerly East Pakistan and the Bengal region of India-was partitioned three times in the 20th century: first by the British in 1905, and then during independence in 1947, and finally from Pakistan in 1971. Professor Fisher reveals this relatively young nation's turbulent history and explores some of its contemporary challenges....
29 min
34: India under Nehru
Unlike Pakistan and Bangladesh, India became a secular state after its 1947 independence, and it is now the world's largest democracy. This examination of the nation's early years examines Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's vision to transform the nation and some of his successful economic programs....
31 min
35: Modernizing India
Follow the careers of Indira Gandhi and her children, who led India through many changes in the late 20th century, including the State of Emergency, the rise of ethnic political organizations such as the Sikhs and the Tamils, the nuclear arms race with Pakistan, and numerous transitions of leadership....
29 min
36: South Asia into the 21st Century
Today, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh make up 20 percent of the world's population, and the subcontinent is a rising global economic powerhouse. Professor Fisher concludes this course by recapping some of the major themes and looking at the condition of the region in the 21st century-and some of the developments on the horizon....
34 min
