"So you think you know all about India…its ancient history, its glorious heritage, its jaw-dropping wonders? Well, think again.

Take architecture, building and town planning for instance. Do you know
about the world’s biggest domical roof? The world’s largest monolithic
statue? The world’s biggest sundial? Do you know about the hanging
ceiling? The pillar without a foundation? Or about a model town 1,000
years ago? Medieval flush system latrines? And of concealed plumbing in
ancient India?

Or take literature. Do you know about the man who told two stories using
one text? The oldest grammar book? The world’s longest poem? Or, for
that matter, of poet Magha’s geometrical composition?

In medicine, chances are you haven’t heard about incredible ancient
surgical instruments. Or about the artificial nose created 2000 years
ago. Or the curative sounds of the medicated drum.

In science and technology, did you know of robots that existed 1000
years ago? Or the pillar that has defied rust for 1600 years? Of the
journey from zero to infinity? Of the ancient technique of drilling
pinholes in stones?
"


A. R. Sharif, a keen historian and an inveterate traveller, was pained by the younger generation’s ignorance of Indian history and heritage. He made it his mission to travel to every nook of the country, at his own cost and forbearing the discomfort of crowded trains and public transport, to gather interesting facts that would introduce Gen Next to the glory of India. His research resulted in the ‘Indiana’ series. The quirky facts, the juicy historical titbits, the well-informed writing made ‘Indiana’ an instant hit when syndicated in leading Indian publications.