India has a vast and complex history. In this post, you will find top five books that are perfect for middle graders and above to understand Indian history. These books will transport you to a different time period and give you an unforgettable experiences and pique your curiosity.
- Book Name: The Incredible History of the Indian Ocean
Author: Sanjeev Sanyal
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 298
Type: Paperback
Age Group: 12 years and up (as per the publisher).
The book narrates how all the continents separated, how the oceans came to existence. It also narrates the adventurous tale of how our forefathers migrated and settled. This book is a must for history and geography buffs, and offers an interesting perspective.
- Book Name: The Night Diary
Author: Veera Hiranandani
Publisher: Puffin
Pages: 264
Type: Paperback
Age group: 8 – 12 years (as per the publisher). Adults will appreciate this book as well.
The story is told through a series of letters written by the main character. It is written in a simple yet fascinating manner. It gets the reader hooked from the very beginning. It is very touching and transports you to that time when the partition of India happened. It is easily understandable and helps readers especially children to understand the freedom movement.
3. Book Name: The Battle for No.19
Author: Ranjit Lal
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 184
Type: Paperback
Age Group: 9 – 12 years (as per the publisher).
This book is set in the midst of riots that happened when Indira Gandhi was assassinated. A group of schoolgirls, come back to New Delhi from an excursion to Agra in the middle of these riots. They run into the rioting mob who drags their Sikh driver out of the bus and kills him. Separated from their teachers, the girls land up in a house that belongs to a rich Sikh family with two children. The girls come together to fight against the rioters and succeed eventually.
4. Book Name: Ahimsa Author: Supriya Kelkar
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 308
Type: Hardcover
Age Group: 10 – 15 years (as per the publisher) Adults will appreciate this book as well.
The story is set in 1942 and 10-year-old Anjali’s (the main character) mother has joined India’s freedom struggle. Anjali who is happy and insightful, gets unwillingly involved in the turmoil. She must push herself to break free from her own prejudices to help her family and her community. This
is a story that is both easily enjoyable and hard to put down. You can read the detailed review here.
- Books Names: Jallianwalla Bagh, Netaji, Baji Rao, Velu Thampi
Publisher: Amar Chithra Katha
Pages: 32 per title
Type: Paperback
Age Group: 7 – 12 years
Amar Chitra Katha’s Comics are the great way to introduce children to Indian history. There are many titles available to choose from.
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