India is a diverse land with a rich literary history. The country is a melting pot of different cultures, traditions, languages, foods, and much more.
Literature is an essential part of the history of any country, and India is no different in this regard. From Vishnu Sharma to Chanakya, India has seen countless famed Indian authors writing exemplary books for the masses.
In this article, we will shed some light on a few of the most famous ancient Indian authors as well as their books that touched the lives of the common people at that time and still continue to do so today.
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Vatsyayana – Kamasutra
Kamasutra can easily be regarded as one of the most popular ancient Indian books, even though the author’s name is not known as much. It is readily available for you to buy on Amazon. This book is famous not just in India but across the entire world.
Readers have actually said that nothing has managed to move them to date as much as the texts in this book. Contrary to popular belief, the book is not and cannot be described as a s*x manual. On the contrary, it is a book that every individual, regardless of gender, should be aware of. If appropriately studied, this book has the power to change lives.
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Kalidasa – Meghdoot
Meghdoot is one of the best and most recognized works of Kalidasa, who is regarded as one of the greatest ancient Sanskrit poets who ever lived. Meghdoot is essentially a lyrical poem in the form of a book that is divided into 111 stanzas.
The work itself is split into two broad parts named Purva-Megha and Uttara-Megha. The poetry is considered to have great literary value and has even been translated into English. The first English translation was carried out in 1813 by Horace Hayman Wilson.
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Malik Mohd Jayasi – Padmavat
If you have seen the somewhat controversial yet moving film Padmavat starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranvir Singh, you already know the power behind the story of this script. The book is even better. The author was a pir and Sufi poet. He mainly wrote in the script of Persian Nastaʿlīq and the Awadhi language.
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The epic poem named Padmavat can definitely be called his most inspirational work. The poem describes the journey of a beautiful and strong woman named Padmavati, who goes on to achieve significant tasks of strength and valor. A definite must-read!
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Vishnu Sharma – Panchatantra
Panchatantra is one of the most fascinating Indian books for children as well as adults. It is full of Indian fables that have survived to date. The famous Hindu scholar named Pandit Vishu Sharma of 200 BC wrote these stories.
This book falls into the category of “Niti Shastra,” which literally means a text that gives lessons on wise moral and social conduct. You can buy an abridged version of this book easy for children.
Each story of this book has a moral and philosophical foundation, so it is perfect to teach children some essential life values. It has stories from animals and the jungle but can teach a lot about living a fruitful life as a good human being. It is definitely a must if you have children!
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Kautilya – Arthashastra
The Arthashastra by Kautilya holds a lot of relevance even today. It is an excellent treatise that tells you all about military strategy, statecraft, economic policy. The title Arthashastra is often literally translated to be the “art of politics.” But in reality, the scope of this book is extensive.
There is much more to it than politics and includes things such as market, trade, economics, ethics, criminal and civil courts, law, government, and various other things. It also sheds light on diplomacy, nature of peace, war theories, duties of a king, etc.
Collective ethics and social welfare are also important aspects of this book. It has been one of the most influential books in Indian history that are still significant today. Students of politics, international diplomacy, and economics even study it in their universities today. You can always read this book to learn a few things about strategy. It is super helpful for almost everyone.
Final Words
And this is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to celebrated ancient Indian authors as well as their books. There are many more famous names such as Banabhatta, Shudraka, and Chand Bardai, who have contributed some fantastic literary pieces to the world.
Therefore, if you are an avid reader and would like to check out some authentic work of ancient Indian authors, you can consider going online or buying paperbacks/hardcovers according to your fancy. These are some classics and must-haves in your collection. Reading these books can genuinely add to your knowledge bank.
