How did the Western perception of India evolve through the accounts and experiences of those who sought to uncover its secrets? John Keay, a noted historian of the Indian subcontinent, examines the historical trajectory of European discovery and exploration in India. He synthesizes centuries of travelogues, colonial records, and archaeological findings to argue that the 'discovery' of India was as much a psychological and cultural construction as it was a geographical one.

This work is widely regarded as a comprehensive and engaging synthesis of the intellectual history surrounding the European encounter with India. Its scholarly rigor combined with a narrative focus makes it a standard reference for those interested in the historiography of the subcontinent.