The Discovery of India

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Cover of an edition of the Discovery of India

The Discovery of India (भारत एक खोज) was written by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru during his imprisonment in 1942-1946 at Ahmednagar in the Ahmadnagar Fort. Nehru was jailed for his participation in the Quit India movement along with other Indian leaders, and he used this time to write down his thoughts and knowledge about India's history. The book is widely regarded as a classic in India since its first publication in 1946, and provides a broad view of Indian history, philosophy and culture, as viewed from the eyes of a liberal Indian fighting for the independence of his country.^{[citation needed]}

This book contains many stories, beginning with a reference to the Indus Valley Civilization, and then covers the country's history from the arrival of the Aryans to government under the British Empire. The effect of these various peoples on Indian culture and their incorporation into Indian society is examined.

This book also analyses in depth the philosophy of Indian life. A popular serial, Bharat Ek Khoj by noted director Shyam Benegal gave a theatrical interpretation of this book.