Handbook of Indian History

This book comprehensively examines the extensive history of India by focusing on the unifying themes of history. The profound analysis of special events and impactful personalities of Indian history form the core of the book. Handbook of Indian History includes articles on cultural, social, and political history of India, topics of religion, philosophy, gender, language and literature, providing a vast array of knowledge on India. The book is divided into three parts. Part one examines the historical developments beginning with the first human settlements to the civilizational foundations of early India until the second century B.C.E. Part two discusses India's political, economic, social, and cultural developments during the First Millennium C.E. expanding beyond India's borders. Chapters in this section address diverse subjects concerning Indian history, including but not limited to communications and networks along with maritime contacts with other parts of Asia, shipping, and international trade. This section also focuses on developments concerning religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, examining devotional practice, monasticism, educational, and social developments. Part three explores the themes of colonialism and the progressive colonization of India between the twelfth century and the eighteenth century, followed by its struggles and emergence as an independent nation in the twentieth century. Chapters in this section explore India's independence struggles, colonial legacy, post-independence revivals and revivals drawing upon ancient wisdom of India. The book introduces India from the beginning to the current day, providing depth and breadth of subjects to understand the history of India. The book is beneficial to anyone interested in learning about India, including students, researchers, and general readers.

Lavanya Vemsani is the Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of History in the Department of Social Sciences at Shawnee State University. Dr. Vemsani is also the Honorary Visiting Professor of history in the School of Historical Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Fulbright Global Fellow (2021–2022). 

She has won a number of academic awards and honors including, Research Professor Award, Distinguished Teaching Award, Shastri Indo-Canada Post Doctoral Research Award, and Best Canadian Ph.D. Dissertation on South Asia 2007 by Canadian Asian Studies Association (CASA) Honorable mention prize. 

She is a prolific author and has written well-received academic works including: Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture: Encyclopedia of the Lord of Many Names; Feminine Journeys of the Mahabharata: Hindu Women in History, Text, and Practice; Hinduism in Middle India: Narasimha the Lord of the Middle and close to 50 articles. She the Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Indic Religions and Associate Editor of Canadian Journal of History and Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs.

Her research and teaching interests are interdisciplinary and multifold. She researches and publishes on subjects of ancient history and religions as well as the current history of India. She served as President of the Ohio Academy of History.