1. Bon Voyage! • Why India • Why Study India, Why Explore India • Alex Arrives • Indo-Greek Encounters • Medieval Middle Easterners • Indo-Muslim Interactions • Voyages of Vascos • Europe rediscovers India • English Imperialism • India and the “Sunny” Empire • Belated Bills • Where have you been, Bills?

2. Exploring India

3. India for Iowa/Indiana? • Historical importance • Two melting pots: USA and India • Socio-cultural relevance • E Pluribus Unam (One from many) • Intellectual links • King, Emerson, Yoga, Vegan • WTO demands • China + India = Products + Services

4. Major Ancient Empires

5. Alex Arrives • Alexander Arrived – Chanakya Confronted • Megasthenes Recorded • Similarities • Chariots, Weapons, Attire, Myths, Ritual, Philosophy • Pythagoras Plato

6. Medieval Middle East

7. Middle Easterners & Mughals • 499 AD Taxila destroyed by Huns, 1200 AD Nalanda and others destroyed by other middle easterners • Early invasions for loot, conquest, anti-idolatry • 1526 Babar (and Mughal Raj) arrived • Akbar and Shahjehan promoted harmony and cultural achievements. Dara Shikoh translated Vedic texts • New Hindu reform movements with common themes – Bhakti saints (Kabir, Chaitanya) and Sikhism • Sufism – mystic and philosophic parallels • “Muslim body with Hindu mind”. • Hindu > Indic. Muslim > Islamicate

8. Voyages of Vascos • Columbus – “Red India” For India in 1492 • Vasco da Gama – 1498, bypassing middlemen, increase in trade • Early missionaries • Francis Xavier – 1542 • Roberto de Nobili – 1605 • Sea Route of Vasco da Gama

9. English Imperialism • Paul Kennedy – 1790 to 1947, 30% < > 2% • Railways, post, telegraph, court, education, administration infrastructure • Lord McCauley (1835) – Creation of Indians in blood and color but English in taste, opinion, morals, intellect • William Jones (1746 – 1794) , Max Muller (1823 – 1900)

10. Belated Bills • Two “natural allies” biggest democracies based on pluralism, equality, freedom and human rights. Both victims of terrorism. • IT DID IT, Cold (war) ice melted • Bill Gates and Bill Clinton • Indians in USA, “Model Minority” • Stronger partnership critical for world peace

11. Ekam Sat Viprah Bahudha Vadanti(Truth is one, wise call it many)E Pluribus Unam (One from many)Thank You