Book Review: ‘Speaking of History’ by Romila Thapar and Namit Arora

Book Title: Speaking of History
Author: Romila Thapar and Namit Arora
Publisher: Penguin Allen Lane
Number of Pages: 304
ISBN: 0143476939
Date Published: Nov. 29, 2025
Price: INR 428 / $14

Book Review

“Speaking of History” by Romila Thapar and Namit Arora crackles with the urgency of reclaiming India’s past from myth-makers and politicians. Through sharp, freewheeling conversations, legendary historian Thapar and writer Arora dissect how evidence shapes narratives on caste, gender, religion, and nationalism—laying bare the historian’s craft amid today’s culture wars. It’s a masterclass in questioning “official” truths, blending rigor with accessibility that pulls you into the fray.

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Romila Thapar’s lifetime of scholarship shines as she weighs ancient texts against modern spins, showing how mythology gets twisted into identity fuel while Arora probes the politics behind it all. Topics like Hindutva’s grip on history or gender’s buried roles spark fresh insights—think Rig Veda debates or caste’s evolving shadows—urging readers to demand sources over slogans. Their back-and-forth feels alive, like eavesdropping on geniuses dismantling distortions in real time.

In an era where history’s a weapon, this book stands tall as both shield and sword for critical thinking, challenging us to embrace complexity over comforting fictions. Minor quibble: it assumes some India-history savvy, but the payoff’s huge for anyone wrestling with the past’s pull on now. Essential reading that doesn’t just inform—it equips you to argue back.

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