About the Book: Drawing on the insight of B. R. Ambedkar, this book by Gail Omvedt presents a radical reinterpretation of Indian history, examining the long-standing conflict between Brahmanism and Buddhism and its impact on caste and social hierarchy. Tracing 2,500 years of intellectual, religious, and social transformation, it contrasts Buddhist rationalism and ethics with Brahmanical ritualism and stratification, drawing from the Buddhist canon and modern scholarship. With a foreword by historian Uma Chakravarti, the book highlights Buddhism’s enduring role in shaping Indian civilisation, social reform, and modern thought.