Book Name- The Golden Road
Author- William Dalrimple
Publisher- Bloomsbury
Page 290
Price- 550
William Dalrimple’s new book The Golden Road survives the golden beats of the past when India impressed the world through thoughts, art, religion, mathematics and business, not with the sword. The period between about 250 BC and 1200 AD was the era of India’s cultural and intellectual power, which the author names “Golden Road”. It was a network that extended from the Roman Empire to Korea and Japan.
The central idea of this book is “Indosfere”, that is, the cultural field which takes shape from Indian influence. From the spread of Buddhism to Hindu art and architecture, mathematics to astronomy and textile trade, the echoes of India were heard far and wide. In the streets of Rome, the transparent Dhaka was the subject of muscle discussion, so the Indian Buddhist stories in the court of China were becoming the foundation of the validity of the emperor. Dollars tell how India was exporting not only business goods, but also spiritual and intellectual capital.
The most vibrant part of the book is the episode of Queen Wu Zetian and monk Schinzang. In a quote, the author writes, “The prediction of the goddess is that she will rule this land in the woman’s body… I will give her gold rods so that she can punish any egoistic and obstinate man.”This scene shows how Indian Buddhist narratives gave validity to the power and politics of China.
Roman historian Pliny The Elder was surprised to see this huge wealth flowing from India. He called India a “Gutter of the world’s most precious metals” and wrote, “No year passes in which there is at least fifty -five million saesters (Roman currency) from the treasures of our empire.” This statement is proof of how trade with India emptied the Roman treasures, because the precious gold and silver flowed instead of spices, gems and clothes.
The book also sheds deep lights on mathematics and astronomy. The contribution of Aryabhata, Brahmagupta and other Indian scholars brought ideas like decimal method, zero and algebra to the Arab world and then Europe. Dollaimple writes that European mathematicians like Fibonacia were also influenced by the legacy of Indian knowledge.
The specialty of the book is that it is not only academic history, butDallerimple The style of storytelling of the famous story of it puts life in it. In his description, the caves of Borobudur, Angkor Wat and Ajanta-Ellora are not only architecture, but living cultural dialogues.
However, the author’s attention is mostly on specific scholars and royal characters, while the role of ordinary society and practical knowledge is left behind. Saying “India won the world only with thoughts” can probably be an exaggeration, because cultural exchange was multi-faceted. Nevertheless, most reviews consider it a “Tour de Force”.
Overall, The Golden Road reminds us that ancient India was not limited to the subcontinent only, but it was a global power that shaped the whole world with thoughts, science, art and spirituality. William Dollar’s writing does not allow it to remain a cold detail of history, but makes a lively saga. This book is necessary for all those who want to understand how India has changed the world in the past and why it is important to revive this memory today.
