Smith's book is a seminal and comprehensive history of India from antiquity until the Muslim conquest, covering over a millennium that saw Alexander the Great's conquering army arrive as well. From the preface: "This edition presents a view of the early history of India as it appears to me after nearly forty years study. It is as accurate and up-to-date as I can make it, but does not pretend to be final, because finality in a work dealing with a subject so progressive is unattainable. The mass of new matter and fresh discussion accumulated since the publication of the last edition, a little...