John Keay is the author of five acclaimed histories: 'The Honourable Company,' about the East India Company; 'Last Post', about the imperial disengagement of the Far East; the two-volume 'Explorers of the Western Himalayas', 'India: A History' and ‘China: A History’. His books on India include 'India Discovered', 'Into India' and 'The Great Arc: The Dramatic Tale of How India was Mapped and Everest was Named'. John Keay is married with four children, lives in Scotland and is co-editor with his wife, Julia Keay, of the 'Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland'.

'A gripping, erudite and witty study of the European discovery of India's ancient past. The first book I ever read on India, and still one of my favourites.' William Dalrymple 'Exact scholarship, plus clear, strong writing, with glints of humour on every page ! This book will greatly reinforce Mr Keay's reputation as the best of the post-Raj interpreters of India for English-speakers.' Dervla Murphy, The Irish Times

John Keay is the author of five acclaimed histories: 'The Honourable Company,' about the East India Company; 'Last Post', about the imperial disengagement of the Far East; the two-volume 'Explorers of the Western Himalayas', 'India: A History' and ‘China: A History’. His books on India include 'India Discovered', 'Into India' and 'The Great Arc: The Dramatic Tale of How India was Mapped and Everest was Named'. John Keay is married with four children, lives in Scotland and is co-editor with his wife, Julia Keay, of the 'Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland'.

'A gripping, erudite and witty study of the European discovery of India's ancient past. The first book I ever read on India, and still one of my favourites.' William Dalrymple 'Exact scholarship, plus clear, strong writing, with glints of humour on every page ! This book will greatly reinforce Mr Keay's reputation as the best of the post-Raj interpreters of India for English-speakers.' Dervla Murphy, The Irish Times