Taking cognizance of some of the new astronomical data, together with recent archaeological discoveries, the volume seeks to apply correctives to certain distorted concepts about ancient history, handed down to us from the colonial period: 18th-20th centuries. An assemblage of 14 essays, written by eminent scholars, the volume, accordingly, tries to show the various different paths of cultural development that had taken place before the beginning of the current era of our history. It even claims to show the possible origins of human civilization. The authors here consider afresh the Chinese antiquity, civilizations in the 8th millennium BCE, chronology of the Vedic people, the Shortughai Sequence, and Harappans and the Rgveda, among several other themes.

Sureshwar D. Sinha has been working on certain controversial areas of ancient history since he took early retirement from the Indian Navy as a commander. Dr B.R. Mani is currently Joint Director General, Archaeological Survey of India.