Hindu Dharma by Kshiti Mohan Sen [Hardcover]

"For five thousand years, the culturally and traditionally rich Hinduism has given birth to and assimilated various religious movements in India. This book provides a valuable introduction to different doctrines and paths. Kshitimohan Sen describes the history from the Indus Valley Civilization to the second-third centuries BCE, including the emergence of Buddhism, Jainism, and ancient agnosticism. The book discusses the impact of religions coming from outside India, such as the arrival of Christianity in the fourth century and Islam, and their influence on Hinduism. It offers an analytical discussion on folklore, festivals, caste systems, their supporters and opponents, and the spread of Hinduism outside India, such as in Indonesia and Indochina. The author's grandson, Amartya Sen, explains the book's background and the exchange of Hinduism in multicultural India in his preface. Scholarly yet easily understandable, this book serves as a guide for readers interested in ancient and ever-changing Hinduism."