Land of the Seven Rivers: A Brief History of India's Geography by Sanjeev Sanyal is an engaging work that meanders through the well-known historical landscape of the Indian subcontinent, exploring how its rivers, mountains, and urban centers have shaped the nation’s past. The narrative traverses ancient mountain passes, visits archaeological sites, navigates streams in unsteady boats, and delves into historical accounts and texts.
Sequentially, the author subtly references the origins of most Indians, dedicating some time to the Harappan Indus Valley civilization and the Saraswati River, as well as the Vedas, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. This is followed by an examination of the Mauryan Empire and its illustrious ruler Ashoka, the rise and fall of various urban centers in Delhi, the Mughal era, British colonialism and their cartographers, the Partition, and the emergence of a new India exemplified by the rapid development of Gurgaon, a center for the call-center industry located south of Delhi, characterized by modern office towers, metro stations, shopping malls, luxury hotels, and millions of job opportunities.
The book addresses a wide array of topics, including the great flood, the etymology of the term Bharat, the epic narratives that illustrate how Indians perceived their land during the Iron Age, the significance of Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath near Varanasi, and maritime trade in the Indian Ocean during the fifth century AD, among others.
This work serves as a comprehensive account of India's geographical evolution, beginning with prehistory and the formation of the Indian subcontinent, which details its separation from the supercontinent Gondwana, introduces the concept of plate tectonics, and explains how India collided with Asia. It also traces the development of Indian flora and fauna and raises fundamental questions about the identity of the earliest inhabitants of India and the essence of being Indian.
The examination of both aspects of the Aryan narrative has led to the conclusion that the Aryans likely originated from India, supported by inherited evidence. The author posits that the Harappans represented a diverse culture, akin to contemporary India.
This era also encompasses Raja Sudas, the Bharata tribe, and the various clans that opposed Sudas, along with the contributions of Guru Vashishtha. Additionally, it begins to suggest a connection between the Avestans and the ethnic groups, while attempting to speculate on their modern counterparts. The Rig Vedic population may have been part of this dynamic mix, but the author does not wish to leave the reader with the impression that medieval India was merely characterized by invasions, destruction, and the rebuilding of cities.
The text provides captivating details not available in other works, presenting a concise overview of the period's geography, grand structures, cities, pathways, and bridges, all discussed in conjunction with the integration of Vedic lifestyles and philosophies during that time.
The book makes a compelling argument regarding the existence of the now-missing river, the Saraswati. The author combines intrinsic, archaeological, and literary evidence to explore this topic, suggesting that the Saraswati once flowed alongside the Indus and was vital to this civilization. Fascinating observations are made about life in these cities, their architectural designs, and their trade connections with the wider world.
The arrival of Europeans in India and the establishment of their own trading posts along the coast are described in detail, along with the development of three major Indian cities: Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, all of which have since been renamed.
This book provides an engaging exploration of how India emerged as a trade superpower in ancient times, presenting captivating facts in an appealing manner. Furthermore, it delves into the South Indian empires in detail, offering valuable insights. The narrative reveals the significance of India's naval trade and maritime connections, alongside intriguing anecdotes and challenges faced during these voyages.
A notable aspect of the book is its focus on the influence of Indian society in Southeast Asia, particularly in regions such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Java. These narratives are often overlooked in typical accounts, yet they illustrate a transformation in the Indian mindset—from a risk-taking commercial society that encouraged traders to establish new settlements abroad to a more insular culture by around 1000 AD, which became less receptive to the prospects of exploration and trade beyond its borders.
The author consistently examines the enduring legacy of survival since ancient times, highlighting India's impact on global development and the distribution of flora and fauna across continents, while connecting these themes to historical contexts. He particularly emphasizes the representation of lions and tigers in hunting narratives, imperial symbols, and the names adopted by certain communities. Another significant topic addressed is the history of cartography and its role in fostering peace or inciting conflict.
The initial phase of British expansion and the quest for Asia is vividly brought to life, with a particularly fascinating study on the mapping of India and the trigonometric surveys conducted over a span of sixty years, which provides a captivating perspective. Additionally, the book discusses the establishment of the railway system and the challenges it faced, concluding with an examination of how India approached regions such as Junagarh, Hyderabad, various princely states, Kashmir, and extending to Sikkim.
This work aims to provide a concise and varied overview of India's natural characteristics, focusing on the changes in the country's inherent environment, the ancient trade routes, and the enriching connections that have shaped its history. It examines the rise and fall of urban centers in relation to ancient waterways and the enduring myths associated with them.
The narrative offers a broad assessment that considers ecological aspects, including tributaries, transportation, and the establishment of capitals, although these elements are not the central focus. Instead, they serve as significant events alongside other non-geological factors. There is limited opportunity to contextualize these interactions within a biological framework concerning the land's support, the diversity of the environment, agricultural types and yields, irrigation practices, and their connections to social and political structures.
The author adeptly weaves together regions and developments, employing a somewhat unrefined writing style that will appeal to many readers unfamiliar with the subject matter. Geography cannot be divorced from history, and thus the author occasionally delves into historical narratives, detailing the origins and movements of various peoples, their possessions, and their legacies. The essential takeaway is that India has never been defined by geological boundaries but has always been characterized by its global evolution.
For those with a slight familiarity with history, there may not be much that is entirely new; however, the author's engaging writing style is so captivating that readers will find themselves immersed in the text, discovering intriguing stories in each chapter. These include lesser-known legends, such as the origin of the name of Mount Everest and the historical preference for darker skin tones over lighter ones in India, ensuring that the reader remains thoroughly engaged.
The primary takeaway from this paperback is its candid exploration of the often-muted notion of India as a novel concept, while effectively arguing that India is, in fact, an ancient civilization, with only its political landscape being relatively new. The entire book successfully constructs a vivid mental image of India during those historical periods, as each chapter is brought to life through engaging details about the geography and urban centers of the time.
Amidst contemporary insights and perspectives, the narrative reveals millennia of history and connects it to the dynamic and sometimes abrupt changes occurring within the nation. The author discusses the structural framework of the country and illustrates how, through various reigns, the land transformed, influencing our customs and traditions.
This work is a semi-scholarly endeavor that, while thoroughly researched, remains an engaging page-turner filled with valuable insights, fresh information, and a pan-Indian perspective that will appeal to all who are passionate about India and its culture. Overall, this book maintains a delicate balance between myth and reality, with the author clearly expressing his affection for the country without bias.
Lacking rigorous academic analysis or elements that might provide deeper insights into the lives and struggles of historical Indians, this book is suited for the general reader or explorer seeking an engaging yet accessible introduction to the historical context of modern India.
It is evident that this is a light yet selective examination of Indian history aimed at the average reader, covering a wide array of topics in a manner that does not overwhelm or burden the reader, unlike many more exhaustive accounts of India's past often do.
The intersection of historical events and geography may raise concerns; however, it should be viewed as neither strictly academic nor biased. This engaging paperback is not only easy to comprehend but also remarkably fast-paced, particularly given its chosen theme, resembling a narrative. Nevertheless, it remains closely aligned with established historical accounts. It encompasses not only trade routes but also the imagery of processions, communities, infrastructure, and the narratives of ancient activities that vividly bring to life the essence of urban existence.
