India has fascinated the West and its people ever since it was first known in Europe, and the reactions of the latter have varied according to historical circumstances, place, and time. [...] For 5000 years, India has undergone continuous transformations, and this exceptional continuity, almost unique in the world, is what impresses the student of its civilization the most. In an attempt to capture this vast geographical and chronological picture, we have divided the book into three parts: the first analyzes the main events of the history of this subcontinent from the 3rd millennium BC until the arrival of the Muslims in the 12th century AD. The second describes daily life, social and political structures, life in the village and in the city, arts and aesthetics, the world of the gods, and the Indian approach to religion. The third part provides a series of itineraries for the traveler who wants to discover and enjoy some of the most interesting artistic and religious archaeological sites in the country. A series of beautiful photographs accompanied by brief but comprehensive captions introduces the reader to a world of refined beauty and often hints at an inner level of concepts. The text is embellished with color plates, drawings, and black and white maps.