In this book attention has been given not solely to dynastic changes but to main developments in the evolution of Indian culture and society.
The changes in the economic and social life of India which were taking place in the eighth century A D. and the evolution of new political institutions seem of more significance than such events as the raids of Mahmud of Ghazni or the establishment of the Sultanate of Delhi, and therefore the eighth century has been taken as the close of the ancient period.
This approach has enabled the pushing of dynastic history into the background and the laying of emphasis on the forces, trends and institutions which together have helped to make the history of the Indian people.
The Index of the book is as follows:
1. The study of Indian History
2. Early man
3. Man takes to city life
4. Life in the Vedic Age
5. Rise of the Kingdom of Magadha
6. The Mauryan empire
7. India after the Mauryas
8. The Age of the Guptas
9. The Age of smaller Kingdoms
10. India and the World