A History of Indian Economic Thought

The first overview of Indian economic thought to appear in English, this book provides rich insights into both economic issues and the workings of the Indian mind. Arguing that it would be inappropriate to rely solely on formal economic analyses, Ajit K. Dasgupta draws on a wide range of sources: epics, religious and moral texts, public speeches, addresses, and newspaper articles. What emerges is an intricate mosaic reflecting India's different cultures and civilizations. The book examines the ways that Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam address economic issues. It demonstrates the deep impact of British colonial rule, both in propagating Western economic ideas and in provoking Indian theories of colonialism and underdevelopment. The book also includes chapters on Ghandian economics and Indian economic thought since Independence. Dasgupta looks at past thought from the vantage point of modern economic theory, particularly development economics. His lucid study reveals the legacy of Indian thought ineconomics and its relevance to contemporary India.