This book traces the origins and evolution of India political thinking from ancient times to 1980 (400 B.C-1980), with relevant extracts form original texts. The volume displays the author's catholicity of mind as well as his wide ranging interest and concerns about the Indian state and society.

Content - By Way of..., 1. Dighanikaya and Anguttaranikaya, 2. The Jataka Stories, 3. Kautilya and His Arthasastra, 4. Manu: The Law Giver, 5. Vyasa's Mahabharat-Shanti Parva, 6. Tiruvalluvar's Tiru-K-Kural, 7. Kamandaka's Kamandakiya Nitisara, 8. Acharya Somadeva's Yasastilaka, 9. Acharya Hem Chandra Suri's, 10. The 'Sukraniti', 11. Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi of Ziauddin Barniand Shams-i-Siraj Afif, 12. Abul Fazal's Ain-i-Akbari, 13. M.K. Gandhi - As Social Reformer and Political Thinker, 14. Sri Aurobindo-His Political and Philosophical Ideas, 15. Mohammad Iqbal-Poet and Philosopher, 16. Views of Rajagopalachari, 17. B.R. Ambedkar-Messiah of Dalits, 18. Jayaprakash Narayan: Sarvodaya Exponent, 19. Ram Manohar Lohia: A Doctrinal Socialist, Appendix : I - The Doctrine of Humanism, Appendix : II - Appadorai: A Tribute, Appendix : III - Biographical Chronicle, Index