Christopher Harding

India radiates kindly light across the East

William Dalrymple describes how, from the 3rd century BC to 1200 AD, India illuminated the rest of Asia with its philosophies and artistic forms through unforced cultural conquest

Portrait of Padmapani in the Ajanta caves. Associated with compassion and kindness, he is often portrayed holding a lotus flower. [Getty Images]
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  • The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World

    William Dalrymple

    Bloomsbury, pp. 464, £20

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