The works of British historians of Indian history, though, devalued, today by many, are nevertheless important, important because they teach us to correct our subjective evaluation about overselves, and thus help us to be more objective in writing the history of our own country.<-p>
Dunbar`s history of India from the earliest times to the present day the book was written in 1930`s - chronicles the history of India right from the time of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa down to 1935 when the British gave to India a new act - the Act of 1935 - for self-government. The book thus discusses Indus-Civilization, Hindu India, pre-Mogul Muhammedan India, Mogul India, the later Moguls and the Marathas, the activities if various East India Companies particularly the French and the English and finally the consolidation of the British rule in India.<-p>
In the course of his narrative Dunber focuses his attention on the empires that the Mauryas and the Moguls built, and sayd that it is during the two governments that anything approaching unity was achieved in the vast sub-continent of India. The Guptas and Harsha who gave Hindu India her golden age between fourth and seventh centuries A.D. could not extend their control over all India, and hence, failed to unite the whole India. During the rest of the time Indian history had been the history of foreign invasions, of the rise and fall of kingdoms, and of the conflicts and intrigues of warring states. In the nineteenth century unity and stability was achieved in India by Pax Britannica<-i>, while in the twentieth century India saw progress towards responsible government.<-p>
A single-volume history, Dunbar discusses, besides political history, religion which dominates the country, the causes of the decline of empires into chaos, and arts, crafts ad literature of India as well as commerce and industry.<-p>