About

Historian, writer, and philosopher.

Though I wanted to be a writer from childhood, I became one somewhat late in life. Today I have twelve books published with Penguin, Pan Macmillan and Speaking Tiger, along with some shorter ones on Kindle. Each is the result of extensive research, packed with information, yet easy to read.

My other aspects are that I read widely, love to play chess, and take care of several cats and two dogs–all are rescues.
I am not attached to any institution or university, which has both plus and minus points. On the plus side, I don’t have to bother about the ideology or political leanings of fellow academics, but can write entirely independently. The time I had earlier spent in academics and on various research projects, has made me able to tackle almost any subject. On the minus side, there are libraries and journals to which I don’t get access, and an uncertain income from royalties, though I am planning that bestseller!
On the whole though, I like my way of life. My time is my own, and I have the freedom to do what I like.

From the blurb of one of my books
Roshen Dalal is a writer of books on history and religion. She was born in Mussoorie and studied in various schools across the country. After a BA (Hons) from Bombay University, she completed an MA and PhD in ancient Indian history from Jawaharlal University, New Delhi. She has taught at both school and university, and been involved in research in the fields of history, religion and philosophy, and education. Apart from books, she has written numerous articles and book reviews. After working for many years as an editor, she is now a full-time writer, living in Dehradun, India.


List of books
1.The Puffin History of India, vol 1, 3000 BC - 1947 (3rd ed., 2014)
2.The Puffin History of India, vol 2, 1947 to the Present (new edition, 2014)
3. Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths (Penguin Books India, 2006, 2010,2014).
4. Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide (Penguin 2010,2014)
5. The Compact Timeline History of the World (Worth Press Ltd , 2010)
6. The Puffin History of the World, vol 1 (Penguin, 2014).
7. The Vedas: An Introduction to Hinduism's Sacred Texts (Penguin, 2014)
8. The Puffin History of the World, vol 2 (Penguin Books, India, 2014).
9. India at 70 [Penguin, 2018]
10. The Guru Who Came Down From the Mountain [Speaking Tiger, 2018, fiction]
11. The 108 Upanishads [Penguin, 2019]
12. Jiddu Krishnamurti: A Life of Compassion Beyond Boundaries [Pan Macmillan, 2020].

Please visit the Books page to read excerpts from the books.

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