The authors convincingly analyse the bewildering diversity, size and scale of the challenges of South Asia in a volume that is a rare treasure for those interested in deciphering the history, ethnic identities, colonial legacy, political economy, environmental risks, and geopolitical dynamics of the region.

In ‘From the Ruins of Empire’ Pankaj Mishra challenges conventional views of world history, and examines the intellectual awakening of Asia and its response to colonisation by focussing on the work of three thinkers