A lifelong student of Indian civilization, Michel Danino authored The Lost River: On the Trail of the Sarasvati (Penguin India, 2010) and Indian Culture and India’s Future (DK Printworld, 2011), apart from many research papers and popular articles. With Prof. Kapil Kapoor he co-edited a two-volume textbook on Knowledge Traditions and Practices of India (2013 & 2015) for a CBSE elective course for class XI and XII. He recently edited Sri Aurobindo and India’s Rebirth (Rupa Books, 2018). Since 2011, Michel Danino has been associated with IIT Gandhinagar, where he is currently visiting professor and assists the Archaeological Sciences Centre.

Abstract of the lecture  

Precious testimonies about ancient India come to us from Greek, Roman, Chinese, Arab, Persian, European and other chroniclers, travellers and pilgrims. It is fascinating as well as challenging to try and see the subcontinent through their eyes. In particular, did they perceive many Indias or one integrated cultural zone? And if the latter, what did they make of India’s endless diversity? This lecture will deal with these questions by using a variety of sources.

Readings

Tansen Sen, “The Travel Records of Chinese Pilgrims Faxian, Xuanzang, and Yijing: Sources for Cross-Cultural Encounters Between Ancient China and Ancient India”, Education about Asia, 11(3), Winter 2006, pp. 24–33.