At book launch, UPSC secy calls for a balanced reading of past

Led world in mathematics, astronomy, philosophy

With this book he attempts to navigate between these extremes and examines India’s extraordinary intellectual achievements while honestly confronting the reasons for its decline. His research reveals a civilisation that once led the world in mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy, yet gradually lost its vitality.

The Decline of Hindu Civilization: Lessons from the Past (Rupa Publications) was  released at the India International Centre.

It has been structured into four sections – The Zenith, The Decline, The Defeats, and The Reasons. The book examines how Hindu civilisation faltered across culture, politics, society, and intellectual thought. Emphasising a balanced engagement with history, Ranjan noted that the past must be approached neither as a source of nostalgia nor grievance, observing that “the past cannot be avenged, it can only be understood.”

Drawing on primary sources such as Chachnama of Ali Kufi, Tabaqat-i-Nasiri of Minhaj-i-Siraj,, Kitab-i-Yamini of al-Utbi, Futuh al-Buldan of al-Baladhuri, Kitan al-Hind of Al-Biruni and the travel accounts of al-Istakhri and other and situates the Indian civilisation alongside Greek and Chinese traditions rather than in isolation.

One of the book’s early chapters traces India’s intellectual achievements, particularly in mathematics. Kumar pointed out that a decimal system was already in use in Vedic texts, later evolving into the recognition of zero as a number. “The need to comprehend the vastness of the universe forced abstraction,” he said, noting that this intellectual leap is what set apart Indian mathematics from several contemporaneous traditions.

He extended this comparative approach to medicine, aesthetics and music, arguing that while elementary surgical practices existed across civilisations, India developed more advanced procedures such as plastic surgery. These traditions, he said, reflected a broader culture of inquiry that later weakened. “A civilisation does not decline overnight,” Kumar observed. “It declines when curiosity narrows.”

Adapting to political realities

A significant portion of the discussion focused on warfare and statecraft. Referring to the chapter titled “War is Deception,” Kumar argued that Indian rulers failed to adapt strategically to changing political realities.

The panel reflected on these claims from different perspectives. Journalist and former Rajya Sabha member Swapan Dasgupta noted that the book avoids presenting Hindu civilisation as a single, uniform entity. “Civilisation here means plurality – languages, philosophies, practices,” he said, cautioning against reducing history to ideological identity.

Gautam Sen, Co-Director DIPF and Professor (retd) of Delhi School of Economics praised the book’s structure and tone, calling it “balanced and accessible.” He noted that its refusal to assign blame was one of its strengths. “It does not mourn the past,” Sen said. “It asks why certain capacities were lost.” He also stressed the urgency of the questions raised, describing the book as “timely.”

Joining virtually, author and former diplomat Amish Tripathi offered a complementary reading. While acknowledging repeated historical defeats, he argued that survival itself mattered. “The last thousand years was not only a story of loss,” he said. “It was a story of resistance.” At the same time, he echoed the book’s emphasis on internal fragmentation and strategic failure. The discussion was moderated by Chaitanya K Prasad, Author and Commentator on Communication and Cinema.