A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India, From the Stone Age to the 12th Century by Upendra Singh, 2nd Edition – Pearson

A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century – 2nd Edition by Upinder Singh is a comprehensive and authoritative textbook that explores the history of the Indian subcontinent from the Stone Age through the 12th century. Published by Pearson, the second edition incorporates newer discoveries, research, and historiographical insights while drawing on textual, archaeological, and visual sources.

The book presents a detailed study of politics, economy, society, religion, philosophy, art, culture, ideas, and everyday life across different periods of ancient and early medieval India. It also examines historical evidence and methodologies, helping readers understand how historians reconstruct and interpret the past. The second edition expands discussions on areas such as ecology, forest communities, pastoralists, women, subordinated groups, Northeast India, Kashmir, and India's connections with other parts of the world.

With extensive maps, photographs, illustrations, original-source excerpts, further readings, references, a glossary, and research-focused features, the book is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate history students, UPSC and State PSC aspirants, researchers, teachers, and general readers interested in Indian history. Pearson lists the second edition in both paperback and hardback formats, with 856 pages for the current print editions.

Key Features

• 2nd Edition with updated research and discoveries
• Covers Indian history from the Stone Age to the 12th Century
• Written by renowned historian Upinder Singh
• Covers political, social, economic, religious and cultural history
• Integrates textual, archaeological and visual sources
• Includes maps, photographs and illustrations
• Features discussions of recent discoveries and new directions in research
• Useful for UPSC, State PSC and university-level history studies
• Includes references, further readings and glossary
• Suitable for both students and general readers