A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today took off time from the hustle-bustle of political life to be with his family and friends, at the launch of his daughter Upinder Singh's book on the Ancient and Early Medieval India.

There was no politician or minister present at the launch of illustrative history book- 'A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to 12th Century.' The 704-page coloured book contains 47 original maps and 60 illustrations.

"My only regret is that the book does not contain any cartoon...I could not find one," Dr Upinder Singh, a professor of History in Delhi University, told the large gathering.

She said the book throws light on the fact that women were important part of history from the Stone Age onwards. The book, she added, challenges the way ancient history was taught, and the contention that history was boring.

"Writing the book was more of a catharsis...Sometimes it was awful writing the first few chapters...Sometimes I despaired that I would not be able to finish the book," the author added.

She said the idea while writing the book was to make it interesting, and go into the raising debates with lightness of touch.

Among those who attended the book release function were Ambassadors of Pakistan and France, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, academicians, bureaucrats and students and colleagues of the author.

The Prime Minister later spent 10-15 minutes chatting with his personal friends and relatives.

While paying tribute to her teachers, Dr Upinder said she was missing the presence of Chitra Srinivasn, a Sardar Patel School teacher, who died a few months ago. She also paid tributes to photographers of Archaeological Survey of India whose photos were liberally used in the book and added that these photos were national treasures and should be treated as such.

"I hope the Hindi edition of the book will come out soon," she said. Her colleague Nyanjot Lahiri, who is also a history professor in Delhi University, and renowned photographer Aditya Arya, whose photographs were used in the book, also spoke on the occasion.