Which Indian Books Should be in Your Reading List

Indian readers tend to look down upon Indian authors. The characters undeveloped, the English too simple and so on and so forth. But books in India are more than just Chetan Bhagat and Durjoy Dutta. These are more than commercial products focusing on young adults. Here are some genuine gems, you need to read right now!

1. Immortals of Meluha by Amish Tripathi The first book in the Shiva Trilogy is set in Melhua. It is based on the concept that once gods were humans. It was because of their deeds as human that they became famous as Gods. It became the fastest selling book series in the history of Indian publishing, with 2.5 million copies and racked in rupees 60 crore.

2. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth Published in 1993, it one regarded as one of the longest novels published in a single volume. It is set in post-independence and post-partition India. It discusses various topics like Hindu-Muslim strife, 1952 national election, land reform, Zamindari system, etc.

3. Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh Published in 1956, it set during Partition of India, 1947. It depicts the horror of partition through the eyes of a village near the border called Mano Majra. It bares the truth loud and clear. And is a must read for anyone interested in the history of India.

4. The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni The novel retells the story of Mahabharata from Draupadi’s point of view. As advertised, ‘a woman living in a patriarchal world’.

5. Godaan by Munshi Premchand Published in 1936. And is considered one of the greatest contributions to the Hindi literature. The English translation is called The Gift of a Cow. The literal translation means cow donation. It talks about socio-economic exploitation of the poor villagers. Both the original and the translation are now considered classics.