About the Book :

This book traces the history of urban development in India from Stone Age to the present. Taking stock of the cultural setting prior to urban development in the country, it discusses at length the beginning of urban phase, the progress of the Harappan culture and the origin of the city builders. Further analysing the factors contributing to urbanisation since the early historical period, it makes an appraisal of urban set-up from medieval period to the end of the Muslim rule. It also examines the role of European settlements in Indian urban development. The state of urbanisataion in the twentieth century and India's comparative status in the world perspective find place in the discussion as well.

About Author :

Bimalendu Bhattacharya, educated at Calcutta University and at the London School of Economics and Political Science (as a Commonwealth Scholar), has consistently pursued a career of teaching and research, having taught in many institutes, including Gauhati University (Assam), Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur IIT, West Bengal), Presidency College (now University), Kolkata, and the University of North Bengal (West Bengal), at the last of which he had been a Senior Professor, Head of the Department as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Science. His research in Geography spans a large area with publications in India and abroad, and a number of books including 'Samaj Bignaniya Bhugol' (Social Geography in Bengali) jointly with Professor Anima Bhatthacharya, published by the West Bengal Government, 'Urban Development in India: Since Pre-Historic Times' (New Delhi), 'Sikkim: Land and People' (New Delhi), 'Geography of a Himalayan Kingdom: Bhutan' in joint authorship with A. Bhattacharya and Neil Fraser (New Delhi), 'Urbanization, Urban Sustainability and the Future of Cities' (New Delhi), 'Geography of Deprivation: An Unfair World' (New Delhi) and 'Global Urban Process: Growth of Towns and Cities' (New Delhi).