One of India’s most respected historians joins hands for an unfiltered conversation with one of the sharpest public thinkers of our time
Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the acquisition of Speaking of History: Conversations About India’s Past and Present, a landmark contribution to the public discourse on Indian history. This insightful work brings together two compelling voices of our time—eminent historian Romila Thapar and acclaimed writer Namit Arora—in a rich and engaging dialogue. The book will be published in November 2025 under the Allen Lane imprint.
In these timely and thought-provoking conversations, Romila Thapar and Namit Arora explore the method and practice of writing history—and its vital role in shaping India’s present. They reflect on the distortions of history in our public discourse, and unpack the many forces driving it. Ranging across themes like caste, gender, nationalism, Hindutva, and mythology, this expansive yet accessible discussion challenges the politicisation of the past and powerfully defends cogently reasoned, evidence-based scholarship. At a time when credible history is under siege from organized disinformation and ethno-nationalist mythmaking, this book offers a breath of intellectual clarity, scholarly rigour, and an unwavering commitment to reclaiming history as a space for curiosity, complexity and critical inquiry.
Speaking about the origins of the book, Professor Thapar says, ‘The idea for this book arose after a spontaneous discussion we had about why history was so misunderstood in some circles. We decided to have an extended conversation to clarify some key points and see where it might lead. We started by looking at how historical scholarship began in India and how it has evolved through the use of the historical methods and interdisciplinary approaches. From there, the conversation naturally flowed into a wide range of topics, connecting the past to the questions we’re still grappling with today.’
Reflecting on his journey with the book, co-author Namit Arora said, ‘My goals for this exchange were similar to Prof. Thapar’s: to discuss different facets of the discipline of history, especially for a general audience. We explored how scholars research and write history today, what makes it credible, and why it has become such a contested space in our public life. We also delved into some of the most debated aspects of India’s past and present, spanning caste, patriarchy, religion, migration, invasion, violence, cultural change, identity, power, and nationalism.’
Manasi Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief and Vice-President, Hamish Hamilton, Allen Lane, Viking, Penguin and Penguin Classics, PRH India, adds, ‘In these remarkable conversations, Romila Thapar and Namit Arora navigate the fraught battleground of India’s past with both scholarly sense and narrative flair. Through layers of historical scholarship on topics of urgent contemporary relevance, they illuminate how and why history has spilt out of academic halls to become a potent force in today’s culture wars. What emerges is more than a defence of the historical method—it is a powerful reminder that approaching history in all its complexity is a radical act in an age determined to simplify it into comforting myths and convenient fictions. I am delighted that they have chosen Allen Lane as the home for this brilliant and necessary book.’
Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Senior VP, Adult Publishing Group, PRH India, says, ‘Speaking History is a brilliant exploration of India’s past, providing a nuanced and insightful perspective on the historical narratives that have shaped the nation. Romila Thapar and Namit Arora have crafted an engaging and thought-provoking book that challenges readers to reconsider and reflect on the complexities of history. Their meticulous research and compelling storytelling make this book an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the rich tapestry of India’s heritage. I am proud to publish the book.’
Speaking of History promises to be a definitive work for anyone interested in Indian history, the politics of memory and storytelling, and the power of critical inquiry in times of polarisation.
About the Authors
ROMILA THAPAR is Emeritus Professor of History at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She is a Fellow of the British Academy and holds an Hon D.Litt each from Calcutta University, Oxford University, and the University of Chicago. In 2008, Thapar was awarded the prestigious Kluge Prize of the US Library of Congress. She has authored over 25 books.
NAMIT ARORA is a writer and the author of three books, including Indians and The Lottery of Birth. Though formally trained in science and technology, he has been learning the humanities, history, and other social sciences for over three decades. In his role as a public historian, his most recent work is a ten-part web series titled Indians: A Brief History of a Civilization.