Sunil Khilnani

Sunil Khilnani is an Indian-born political scientist, historian, and author who is professor of politics and history at Ashoka University and one of the leading interpreters of Indian civilisation for global audiences. His book Incarnations explores India's extraordinary history through the lives of fifty remarkable individuals, from the Buddha and Ashoka to Gandhi and Ambedkar, creating a portrait of a civilisation that is both sweeping in scope and intimate in detail. Khilnani's previous book, The Idea of India, became one of the most influential works on modern Indian identity and politics, and Incarnations extends his exploration of what makes India unique among the world's civilisations. His approach to Indian history through biography allows him to illuminate the ideas, conflicts, and creative energies that have shaped the subcontinent across millennia while making this vast subject accessible and compelling for readers who may know little about India. Khilnani's prose is elegant, erudite, and engaging, reflecting his background as both a rigorous scholar and a skilled communicator. The book was accompanied by a major BBC Radio 4 series, further extending its reach. Incarnations is available as an audiobook, offering listeners a magnificent journey through Indian civilisation guided by one of its most eloquent interpreters.