The Golden Road
The Golden Road
The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World by William Dalrymple is a sweeping historical narrative that redefines India’s impact on early global civilization. Often overshadowed by the Silk Road, Dalrymple’s “Golden Road” highlights India's pivotal role as a cultural and intellectual hub from around AD 300 to 600, a period when India was a global leader in trade, philosophy, and science.
Dalrymple uncovers India’s influence across Eurasia, from the spread of Buddhism to China, Japan, and Korea, to innovations like the numeral system, which still underpins mathematics today. With vivid storytelling, Dalrymple brings to life India's exchanges in art, religion, and technology that shaped ancient societies as far as Rome and Angkor Wat. Critics praise this work as both an illuminating study and a “love letter” to India’s often underappreciated contributions to global history.