The Argumentative Indian

By Amartya Sen,

Book cover of The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture and Identity

Book description

From Nobel prize-winning economist Amartya Sen, The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian Culture, History and Identity brings together an illuminating selection of writings on contemporary India.

India is an immensely diverse country with many distinct pursuits, vastly different convictions, widely divergent customs and a veritable feast of viewpoints.

Out of…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked The Argumentative Indian as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

As the great Asian renaissance gathers momentum in the 21st century, many young Asians will begin to rediscover their own cultures and civilizations, just as the West did in its first cultural renaissance in the 15th century. Few understand classical Indian civilization as well as Amartya Sen does.

Since Asian cultures are associated with despotism and Western cultures with individual liberties, Sen says, “The claim that the basic ideas underlying freedom and tolerance have been central to Western culture over the millennia and are somehow alien to Asia is, I believe, entirely rejectable.” Living up to the spirit of the…

From Kishore's list on the Asian 21st Century.

This may seem a niche choice for India-geeks only, but that just doesn't do justice to the scope of this book from a Nobel Prize in Economy winner. While working in zero-tourist rural India for a local NGO, this book was the Bible that kept me going. Sen helped me to make sense of “it all” and gave me depth, hope, and mindblowing insights about what I have come to see as a shared history we Europeans have with Indians, since he goes 1000s of years back. Hence, even if you're only vaguely interested in the culture, identity, and politics…

From Nick's list on the state of the world we live in.

Want books like The Argumentative Indian?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Argumentative Indian.

Browse books like The Argumentative Indian

Book cover of This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate
Book cover of On China
Book cover of From the Ruins of Empire: The Revolt Against the West and the Remaking of Asia

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,588

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in India, civilization, and Western culture?

India 491 books
Civilization 225 books
Western Culture 57 books