About the Book
"History of India from the Earliest Times to the Present Day" by Thomas Keightley provides a comprehensive overview of Indian history, from ancient civilizations through to contemporary times. Keightley's work delves into the cultural, political, and social developments of the region, highlighting key events and figures. Known for his meticulous research and accessible writing style, Keightley offers readers a detailed and engaging narrative, making complex historical contexts understandable. His work remains a valuable resource for understanding India's rich and diverse past.
About the Author
Thomas Keightley (1789-1872) was an Irish writer renowned for his contributions to mythology and folklore, notably "Fairy Mythology" (1828). As a comparativist, he drew parallels between global traditions without presuming direct transmission. He authored influential textbooks on history at Thomas Arnold's request. Keightley was proficient in multiple languages and contributed significantly to Victorian folklore studies and literary criticism.
Preface
THE present work may be regarded as supplemental to my History of England. It was not, however, undertaken with that view, but solely at the desire of my publishers, Messrs. Whittaker & Co., who wished to add a History of India to their Popular Library, and deemed me well qualified to write it. It is rather remarkable that my late friend, Dr. Arnold, of Rugby, when I informed him that 1 had (as I then thought) done with history, should have proposed to me this very subject, or rather a History of India and our Colonial Empire in general, to complete my account of the British Empire. In this, as in all my history epitomes, I have endeavoured (a thing nearly impossible) to unite fulness of information with brevity of narrative; and I trust, that from it may be derived a tolerably clear idea of the origin and progress of our Indian Empire. For my materials, I am indebted to the Histories of Mill and Wilson, and of Thornton, and the various histories, narratives, and biographies that have appeared, from the days of Clive and Orme, down to our own time. In the First Part, I have chiefly derived my information from Mr. Elphinstone's History of India, and the translations of Ferishta. It was not to be expected, that for the sake of a mere epitome, I should consult the archives of the India House, or carefully examine the Debates of Parliament, or the Reports of Committees. I have only aimed at giving a condensed view of the history, as it is to be found in the works just mentioned.
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