5 books that rightly teach about Indian History to the children

Article by Ilma Saifi 

History is full of tales, including tales of happiness and joy, triumph and failure, pain and sadness, and everything in between. History teaches how human society unfolded years after years. It is crucial that the kids learn about their own history, as they will be inheriting the legacy. Growing up for most of us a history lecture only consisted of dates, wars, dynasties, kings, etc. History was the most monotonous and boring subject to study. A graphic novel or an encyclopedia over a history book, always! Though the stories from our mothers or grandmas top the game, what if we say that we have found history books that are equally interesting and informative for the kids? Unlike boring history textbooks, these books will take children into the real world, where the history of India unfolds beautifully.

Now, let’s explore the five books that provide the finest information on Indian history to young readers. The writers of these books have considered the interests and cognitive attentiveness levels of young readers to draw their curiosity to the most significant episodes in Indian history, given that the world is full of novels, comics, and visual pictures to tell the stories.

1.  Postcard from Bombay

The Author of Postcard from Bombay Jerry Pinto traces the rich, diverse topography, history, and heritage of the megacity of Mumbai. Being a Mumbai resident, he has empathy and a personal touch, which are reflected in his words. It contains illustrations and graphics, which makes it a perfect blend of fun and information.  The book takes the reader on a tour of Mumbai’s past while being lighthearted and enjoyable. The way “Bombay,” the city of dreams, used to be It’s an easy read and a perfect alternative for the kids to learn history from.

Link to purchase

Publishing house : Scholastic India Pvt Ltd

Price: 175 INR 

2. India’s Composite Heritage: A Workbook for Children and Parents

In the post-modern world where visual literature has taken over traditional pedagogy, Nachiket Chanchani, who is an art historian, has created a book where children and parents can perform various activities together. Be it coloring, pointing out the places on maps, or brainstorming over multiple-choice questions, this visual illustration of Indian history is a treat for a family picnic. It contains thirty-two monumental complexes across India that hold significant historical importance. From Ellora Caves to the Iron Pillar, it has it all!

Link to purchase

Publishing house:  ‎ Aleph Book Company

Price: 376 INR

3. The People of the Indus: and the Birth Civilization in South Asia

“This book adds perhaps a whole new genre of “Historical Reconstruction” to the growing corpus of Indian graphic novels.” Orijit Sen. One of its kind, The People of the Indus, written by the author Nikhil Gulati with Jonathan Mark Kenoyar, is a unique visual adaptation of India’s oldest civilization. How did the people of the Indus Valley used to live? How did they manage to build these architectural marvels? And how it changed the course of history. The book surely grabs the attention of young readers. It also introduces its readers to the world of archaeology and the skill of deciphering artifacts.

 Link to Purchase

Publisher:  Penguin Random House India Pvt. Ltd.

Price : 405 INR

4. The Emperor Who Vanished 

Kavitha Mandana has curated the book The Emporer Who Vanished. She has written many interesting children’s books, and this is one of them. The topics covered are very broad and include architecture, monarchy, flora, gastronomy, clothes, guilds, maritime history, animals, conflicts, monuments, mountains, and more. Packed with humor, stories, and historical facts, this book teaches about the diverse history of India, which is not taught in schools. Want to know how tea came to India? How did Chinese and Greek travelers write about India? This is the ideal combination of historical information presented in the most kid-friendly manner.

Link to purchase

Publishing house : Speaking Tiger Publishing Pvt. Ltd.

Price 253 INR

5. Gulbadan: The Portrait of a Princess at the Mughal court

A biographical sketch of Mughal princess Gulbadan Begum, or Princess Rosebody An insight into her life and her point of view on the Royal Court Taken out of her own memories, it’s a book written by Rumer Godden in which she has taken the accounts of this little princess growing up in 16th century in Mughal courts, watching her father conquer territories, and how Mughal administration is unfolding in front of her eyes. Her life at Harem was the ecosystem of the women of the Zenana part of the royal family, and these women had their own ways of participating in social life. It’s a good read to open the world for children and is filled with lessons about their country.

Link to purchase

Publishing house – : ‎ Speaking Tiger Books LLP 

Price: 211 INR

Children should not be limited to the traditional way of teaching history, as we have progressed in the use of visual literacy, graphic novels, and storybooks, increasing the need to introduce our children to some of the most interesting history books only curated for them. The transmission of cultural values, customs, and historical legacies to younger generations is a non-negotiable aspect of society. And should be common to every Indian household.