5.0 out of 5 stars The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World by William Dalrymple

T.M. · 8 March 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } William Dalrymple’s The Golden Road is a masterful exploration of India’s profound and far-reaching influence on the world over a millennium and a half. This book is a testament to Dalrymple’s lifelong scholarship and his ability to weave together history, culture, and storytelling into a compelling narrative. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in understanding how ancient India shaped the world we live in today.A Vast Empire of IdeasDalrymple meticulously details how India, for over 1,500 years, was not just a cultural powerhouse but also a confident exporter of its civilisation. From art and religion to technology and mathematics, Indian ideas traveled far and wide along what Dalrymple aptly terms the “Golden Road” – a network of trade and cultural exchange that stretched from the Red Sea to the Pacific.The book highlights India’s contributions to global civilisation, such as the creation of the numeral system (including the revolutionary concept of zero), the spread of Buddhism across Asia, and the architectural marvels like Angkor Wat, the largest Hindu temple in the world. Dalrymple also delves into lesser-known but equally significant influences, such as Indian astronomy, music, dance, and mythology, which left an indelible mark on the ancient world.A Global Perspective on India’s LegacyWhat sets The Golden Road apart is its global perspective. Dalrymple doesn’t just focus on India in isolation; he situates it at the heart of ancient Eurasia, showing how Indian ideas interacted with and transformed other cultures. For instance, he explores how Indian trade helped fund the Roman Empire and how Indian religious and philosophical ideas shaped the spiritual landscape of China and Southeast Asia.Dalrymple’s writing is both scholarly and accessible, making complex historical processes easy to understand. His vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling bring the past to life, making the reader feel as though they are traveling along the Golden Road themselves.A Few Practical ConsiderationsWhile the content of the book is exceptional, I did find myself returning the hardback edition in favor of the Kindle version, which was £10 cheaper, and the paperback, which was £12 cheaper. For a book of this length and depth, the digital or paperback formats are more practical and economical, especially for readers who prefer a more portable option.Final ThoughtsThe Golden Road is a brilliant and enlightening read that sheds light on India’s often-overlooked role as a global influencer in ancient times. William Dalrymple’s passion for the subject shines through on every page, and his ability to connect the dots between India’s past and the modern world is nothing short of remarkable.Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lover of Indian culture, or simply curious about how ancient civilisations shaped our world, this book is an invaluable addition to your library. Just be sure to opt for the Kindle or paperback edition to save a few pounds without compromising on the richness of the content. Highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb. Illuminating a forgotten chapter in human history.

P. · 23 October 2024

I was initially sceptical about a book that has as its core a story that covers such a vast expanse both geographically and across time. In his earlier books Dalrymple has always been more focussed in his subject matter, however he’s pulled off an extraordinary feat.It manages to be both scholarly and readable; an engrossing and hitherto untold story at least to a nonspecialist reader. It throws new light by bringing together bits of history that until now have been fragmented and diffused into different specialisms.Dalrymple has deftly woven a narrative from a cast of fascinating characters and stories that stretch the imagination you would scarcely believe they were true. Good job he has attached copious notes and a bibliography for verification at the end so it doesn't get in the way of a good yarn.I was continuously surprised and engrossed.

4.0 out of 5 stars What an ambitious Book!

N. · 12 May 2025

As an avid reader of Dalrymple’s many earlier books, I approached this with great enthusiasm, but frankly found it a difficult, but nonetheless worthwhile read. Reading it did not flow freely, as all his earlier works have gripped me from the start, and I felt I had to work at it to get through it to the end. Given the scope of this condensed History of Indian culture, it is unsurprising. I do feel I learnt a huge amount from reading it, and believe that I probably need to reread it again to fully absorb and understand the wisdom it is trying to transmit. So a book for a Desert Island, not a quick holiday read.

5.0 out of 5 stars g

P.J.M. · 5 June 2025

The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World Kindle Editionby William Dalrymple (Author) . A most interesting book, beautifully written and obviously the product of deep research. However, for the average reader, even one with some knowledge of eastern history, there is so much detail that the only way to approach the book is to skim read and find the general drift. This is very worthwhile. So we look at a well-documented claim that India rather than China, in the first few hundred years of the common era, was the exemplar of soft power. We see how India introduced Buddhism into China and how that Indian soft power faded with insurgent Islam, but not before India had left its footprint all over South East Asia. His claim was that India, along with Greece, was an intellectual power house, particularly in the mathematical and related sciences and that this knowledge was transmitted to Europe via Baghdad. The book was an eye opener and raises questions about its influence in the future, though there are some nice very subtle digs at the Indian Government's policy of sectarianism and its implications.

5.0 out of 5 stars Eccentric History

W. · 3 June 2025

A combination of travelog, economic history, history of religion. The first chapter is simply brilliant. A must read!

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute gem of a book

K. · 28 November 2024

Kudos to William Dalrymple bringing out unbiased history of Indian subcontinent. Often I have come across versions of Indian history which seemed to be polarised on colonial perspective or overzealous Indian perspective. This book has provided a more realistic picture of how ancient India has contributed to the world via science along with religious ideas and philosophy. As humans we have a tendency to consciously or subconsciously assimilate different cultures into our daily life. This book has provided the background and history of how India was able to pass on its ideology and philosophy across south Asia and beyond.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well researched & written. Easy informative read

A.E.P. · 30 September 2024

This is a really well researched book about an aspect of history previously little known to me. Although full of detail it is beautifully balanced with a style that flows and enables the reader to keep pace with the timeline as it develops.I enjoyed reading this book. It filled a gap in my minds eye and broadened my historical horizons, previously European / Mediterranean centric. Thank you.

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting

A.F. · 6 June 2025

Enjoyed by reader

Sea Empires of last 500 years BCE and early CE brought to life, populated, revived

S.H. · 4 May 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } As others have mentioned, Dalrymple"s histories are the best and every single one is worth a read. Some have not loved this one as much.I love this one as much. From decades of tai chi study and years of Sanskrit study I have puzzled over how ever did ideas get around Asia as they did.I knew a monk famously trekked back and forth. I knew Rama and Krishna got around.But how? Who did what first? And what went on when the Shaolin monks began to help the emperor.All Dalrymple's students and readers know the man loves India. But which India? When India? We know he does not like the way the East India Company (and let's face it, Great Britain) treated India.. We know he wants to clarify the record. Here it is. You could make your PhD out of his footnotes. I just wanted to know about the monk and the manuscripts.Here is another thing. The writing is world class. We know that about the author too. The first paragraph of the 7th chapter, one of the most exciting chapters for me, is the best example of that exquisite mastery in plain speak. The other greatest thing here is the insight into the travel on the monsoon winds. Finally, we know.One criticism -- Dalrymple has made a terrible mess of the monsoon wind timeline as well as his proofs of the sea trade timeline. I am scratching through Wikipedia trying to figure it out. He cites a monk contemporary with Buddha commenting on the seafaring gold rush but says 31 BCE for 300 years . . . leaving a gap from Buddha to Battle of Actium.Says the winds blow west for six months and east for six months but traders arrive in summer from east and start home in August. So now I would like for the professor to clarify this.I am reading Xuanzang with great appreciation.BUT the book's main argument for sea trade versus "Silk Road" is too carelessly done. While we might own that the term came later and nobody called it the Silk Road then, we also see that Buddhists built monasteries along the overland trade routes, traded and got very wealthy, offered shelter to wandering monks and not sure about trading merchants or caravans . . . so the overland routes were busy too . . .plus there were robbers and piratesThanks professor. I am happy to know the true story but still your argument has left many questions.

Eine schöne Weitererzählung der 'The Silk Roads' von Peter Frankopan

H.B. · 29 April 2025

Indien als Kulturmotor für den Westen über den Umweg der arabischen Welt im Mittelalter. Eine Phantasie von BJP Anhängern unter Narendra Modi, würde man zunächst meinen. Und doch unabweislich, nach dem was William Dalrymple an historischen Belegen zu einem sehr lesbaren Erzählbogen zusammengefügt hat. Auch wenn die ein oder andere Nebe-These etwas gewagt erscheint ist das Haupt-Argument nach der Lektüre dieses Buches doch schwer von der Hand zu weisen: Indien ist offenbar die Herkunftsregion von Errungenschaften, die nicht nur die Entwicklung vieler Kulturen Asiens befruchtet hat sondern auch Quelle wissenschaftlicher und kultureller Inspiration des Abendlandeswar, weitergeleitet und verbessert durch arabische Gelehrte seit dem frühen Mittelalter. Ein Erbe das zur wissenschaftlichen Entwicklung und später Dominanz des Westens über Indien, den Nahen Osten und ganz Asien geführt hat.

Another marvelous book by the master of Indian history

C.J. · 10 June 2025

Another wonderful book by the master of Indian history. It’s a bit tough to get through with so many names but overall a great book.

Rooted to foundation.

V. · 5 October 2024

A perfect journey mounted on each granular details to cast a right picture. Must read.

Fills in some gaps

A.C. · 19 June 2025

Fascinating and informative. Provides a new perspective which clarifies much of the misconceptions of the past. Corrects the historical record