India's rich history & culture in single volume

A good single-volume book which outlines the rich history and culture of India is Anjana Motihar Chandra's India Condensed: 5000 Years of History & Culture (Singapore, Marshall Cavendish, 2007). It is useful for general readers , especially journalists, politicians and diplomats. It should probably be made a compulsory reading material for all and every public servants in multiethnic Malaysia, including those of BTN.

James & family share festive joy of Deepavali