We speak to Sanjeev Sanyal, the author of The Incredible History of India’s Geography. Sanjeev speaks to us about the research undertaken for the book as well as authors who have influenced his reading and writing habits.

From Penguin Books:

Currently the global strategist of one of the world’s largest banks, Sanjeev Sanyal divides his time between India and Singapore. A Rhodes Scholar and an Eisenhower Fellow, he was named Young Global Leader for 2010 by the World Economic Forum. He has written extensively on economics, environmental conservation and urban issues, and his first book, The Indian Renaissance: India’s Rise After a Thousand Years of Decline, was published by Penguin in 2008.

IMC: What prompted you to write this book and tell us how you decided to look at the geography of India from a historical point of view?

Sanjeev: I have always felt that history is more than just a series of dynasties and dates. We can also think of history in terms how cities rose and fell, how the wildlife changed and where people migrated. For instance, we can learn about the British period as a series of colonial wars, and the freedom movement. However, we can also think about how the British mapped India, built the railways, caused severe famines and so on. It is the same history but with a different perspective. Mainstream history books tells us about the Mughal mansabdari system but not about how they hunted lions. Since I find the alternative narratives more interesting, I decided to write it down thinking that others may also find them interesting.

IMC: What kind of background research did you undertake to come up with such extensively researched book?

Sanjeev: I had collected a lot of material, such as old maps, over the years just for my own interest. However, it took two years of structured research and travel to write Land of the Seven Rivers. I am not a full time writer, but I took a sabbatical and moved back to India to travel around the country. I have personally visited most of the places mentioned in my books. The children’s adaptation took less time as I had help from Sowmya.

IMC: As per you which are the three major events which changed the history of India (from the numerous ones which you have written so wonderfully about in the book)

Sanjeev: Since I do not think of history as a sequence of political events, it is not entirely meaningful for me to identify three events. I would rather identify three important factors that have impacted India throughout its history. I would say that climate and geography were very important factors. One cannot understand Indian history without reference to the annual monsoon winds that were critical for both farming and maritime trade. Similarly, the drying of the Saraswati river marks a defining shift in early Indian history. Another factor is the idea of civilizational nationhood. Without it one cannot understand the heroic resistance of the Ranas of Mewar or even 21st century emotional links between India and its Diaspora. The third important factor has been urbanization. India has been through several cycles and we may be currently embarking on a journey that will leave India with an urban majority within a generation.

IMC: Who have been your key influences as authors?

Sanjeev: I am a very eclectic reader and read material from many unrelated fields. Thus, I read writers as diverse as Michel Danino, Bill Bryson, Upinder Singh, Svante Paabo, Ibn Batuta, Herodotus and Hemingway. Some I read for content and some have influenced my style. I also read a lot of technical papers in economics, genetics and urban issues. You must remember that most of my writings are not for the general audience but for financial markets and policy makers.

IMC:  If there are three history based books you will recommend for children, which are they and why?

Sanjeev: I must admit I may not be the best person to advise on this. When I was a child I read the entire Amar Chitra Katha series – they are a great resource. For international history, I know boys love the Horrible History series which includes all the fun stuff about pirates and gladiators (all the exciting and interesting things that boring textbook do not tell you). Having said this, I think travel is a better way to learn about history than books.

Thank you Sanjeev for talking to us.