Books published by publisher Rupa Publications Private Limited

Which were the first cities of India and how were they discovered? What was it like living in Mughal times? How did the British, who had come to trade in India, end up ruling the country? How has India changed after Independence? Delve into India's past to discover the answers to these questions and many more in this comprehensive history of our nation. Journey through time to visit the baths and palaces of the first cities of Harappa, the stupas of Ashoka and the flamboyant courts of the great Mughals, rich in art, culture and architecture. Learn how the revolution of 1857 really started and march alongside Gandhi on his quest for an India free from British rule. Plus, discover more about each period through fun and easy 'To do' activities. Told in simple, lucid prose and interspersed with beautiful illustrations, A Children's History of India makes learning history a fun and engaging experience for readers of all ages.

A wonderful collection of stories that will entertain children as well as teach them important life lessons. Jungle Tales for Children carries a foreword by the renowned philanthropist and naturalist Philip Wollen. These are timeless tales that will delight not only children but also readers of all ages. About the Book: Jungle Tales for Children A collection of warm and engaging stories from one of India's best loved nature enthusiasts A baby sloth bear whose naughtiness constantly lands him in trouble, a wily jackal who outwits a charging panther, an old elephant who risks his life to save his son, a bashful hyena who puts up a brave fight against a pack of wild dogs-these and other endearing characters make up the cast of Kenneth Anderson's Jungle Tales for Children. Set in the jungles of South India and full of thrilling twists and turns, these tales about animals not only delight the reader but also teach important lessons about compassion, respect and responsibility for the natural world. Inspired by real-life experiences of the author, these are timeless stories that will live on in your mind long after you have put down the book

Containing an assortment of one hundred and three poems, Gitanjali: Rabindranath Tagore is an English translation of various poems and works of the legendary Indian poet Shri Rabindranath Tagore. Translated by Tagore himself, the book contains fifty-three translated poems from the original Bengali version of Gitanjali: Rabindranath Tagore, as well as fifty other poems from eight of his other works on poetry and a drama titled Achalayatan. An integration of two words, 'Git' and 'Anjali,' meaning song and offering respectively, the literal meaning of the word is 'offering of songs.' and because of the strong devotional tone and subliminal spiritual incitation, the book can be said to have devotion to god as its theme. It highlights the poet's intense response to the magnificence of the universe or rather an affirmation of life with all its abundance, mystery and diversity. Though the translator and author of the original book are the same, the translations are radical, involving certain modifications and on the other hand, leaving out whole segments. Gitanjali: Rabindranath Tagore was published by Rupa in the year 2002, as a paperback edition.

'The story of my life has become intertwined with the story of this country. And somewhere along the way, as I met a million children across this land, I too learnt from a million minds. This book was not written to only tell my story. I want every young reader to think that this book is his or her story too.' A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has been one of the most iconic figures of Independent India. A scientist, leader, thinker, teacher and writer, he achieved remarkable success in various fields. Yet, what endeared him to so many was his dedication to the idea of a developed India, his simple and direct way of interacting with people and his deep love for his fellowmen. In My Life, Kalam writes his life story starting from his days growing up at Rameswaram; about working on India's space and missile programmes; his years as the eleventh President of India; and about his life thereafter. Full of anecdotes that demonstrate the importance of hard work, commitment, courage and innovative thinking, this autobiography is a wonderful introduction to a remarkable life. Beautifully illustrated and simply written. My Life will inspire readers of all ages.

Tigers For Dinner: Tall Tales By Jim Corbett's Khansama is a fun-filled book for children and adults alike. It is a collection of short stories about the adventures of Jim Corbett, narrated by his family cook Mehmoud, to the author when he was a child. Narrated in a simple style, all the tales told by the cook are as delicious as his food and takes a reader on a nostalgic journey. This book contains the author's childhood experiences at the home of the great hunter Jim Corbett. He keeps wandering into the kitchen to listen to the fascinating stories told by his cook and to gobble the delicious food prepared by him. Starting with the man-eating tigers, cobras, man-hunting crocodiles, useless Maharajas, haunting pillows and lost kitchen boys, the book contains everything that is needed to entertain a child's many curiosities. Littered with humor, Tigers For Dinner: Tall Tales By Jim Corbett's Khansama has captivating illustrations that pour life into the characters in the book. This novel is authored by Ruskin Bond who has written about his childhood days in India.

In If God Was A Banker, the story revolves around two management graduates in the rat race for success. Sundeep is ambitious and selfish, which leads him to achieve his goals through unscrupulous means. Swami is the exact opposite as he sticks to his morals and ethics to ensure success in his career. Swami's ideal and ethics keeps him behind Sundeep in terms of performance at the New York International Bank where they both work. Sundeep's rapid rise up the corporate ladder and his popularity with colleagues disguises his real motives and cunning mind. The story also has a main character, who is a friend and counsellor to both of them and he has his own philosophy which is based on his experience and is genuine. He always taught what he deemed right. Inspite of all the facts, the temptation of untold riches was too strong for Sundeep and he continued on his quest for more ill-gotten financial gain. All through the novel, the backdrop is the corporate bank environment, which is so polluted that the characters are portrayed as people who are ready to deviate from the righteous path at the drop of a hat. Women throw themselves at their bosses to advance their position. If God Was A Banker was published in 2007 and it won the Indiaplaza Golden Quill Book Award. The book has sold more than 260,000 books and has been a national bestseller.

Sherlock Holmes examines the violent murder of a colonel, apparently by his wife. In eighteenth-century Italy, a nobleman plots deadly revenge against his former friend. Father Brown investigates the case of a man brutally beheaded in a garden. A policeman rents a bungalow where a young man had mysteriously disappeared. A selection of stories by some of the greatest writers of detective fi ction, Classic Tales for Children: Detective Stories is for those who love to get to the bottom of things.

An old man braves the sea in search of an elusive white whale. A tin soldier puts his life at risk for a paper ballerina. In ancient Jerusalem, a Jewish prince seeks revenge for the wrongs against his family. A young private must overcome his fears to face the enemy in battle. Tales of bravery and courage excerpted from timeless classics, this volume will be much loved by those who appreciate stories of derring-do.

In 100 Iconic Indians, read about a hundred great people who changed the history of our nation. The story of India is also the story of the extraordinary men and women who helped build this remarkable country. In this book, Derek O'Brien picks a hundred iconic Indians from among them and introduces them to a new generation of readers. From Chanakya to Mahatma Gandhi, Sachin Tendulkar to Narayana Murthy, 100 Iconic Indians contains succinct biographies along with interesting anecdotes, 'Good to Know' facts and fun quizzes on each personality. Divided into easy-to-refer sections such as Politics, Sports, Entertainment, Language and Literature, Art and Culture, History and General, these remarkable stories are brought alive in a clear, concise and immensely readable style by one of the country's best known reference book writers.

Derek's Challenge is a unique programme that currently reaches students in more than 1,500 schools across the country. It is a fresh approach to inform and educate and aims to provide schoolchildren with the tools for self-improvement. Through a series of fun and lively exercises, Derek's Challenge encourages logical thinking, builds creative expression, helps improve memory skills and aids in developing general awareness. So come, take up Derek's challenge, and be a smarter, sharper and more confident person.