Literature

Many great literary talents have come out of India, from the Aryans and the Vedic scriptures, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata which is the world's longest poem to more modern authors like Salman Rushdie and Arundhati Roy. India has a long and diverse literary tradition that includes as many languages and dialects as there are to be found on the subcontinent.

Indian literature is a gateway to learning more about India, listed below are just a few of the many works of fiction and non-fiction that you could read before you go.

Travel

• William Dalrymple, City of Djinns
• Mark Tully, India in Slow Motion.

Religion

• Upanishads.
• Bhagavad-Gita.
• The Ramayana.

Women

• Gayatri Devi, A Princess Remembers.
• Annes Jung, Unveiling India: A Woman's Journey.

History and Politics

• John Keay, India a History.

Fiction

• Salman Rushdie, Midnight's Children.
• Jhumpal Lahiri, The Namesake.
• Jon Stock, The Cardamon Club.
• Arundhati Roy, The God of Small Things.