I haven’t read very many non-fiction books to be honest. I love fiction, especially novels. But sometimes novels can provide historical info, and in a much more engaging way than drab history books.
For example, Kim(by Rudyard Kipling), The Far Pavilions(by M.M. Kaye) etc. have helped me understand and ‘visualize’ the colonial India in a much better way. I particularly loved The Far Pavilions. The writer is very sympathetic towards Indians or local people, unlike Kipling who believed that educating the natives was ‘white man’s burden’…he probably seriously thought imperialism and colonization was good for the Indians. He is a master story teller nevertheless, and I have always enjoyed reading Kipling very much.
Then there’s E.M. Forster’s novel set in India, unfortunately I cannot recall it’s title. And it’s a very famous novel!mortified Then Ahmed Ali’s Twilight in Delhi, which is set in Delhi, and the period is sometimes after the 1857 war.
Then I have read Gregson’s book, The Bullet Up the Grand Trunk Road…that’s a kind of travelogue, but you get frequent glimpses into history. I really liked it very much. Cannot remember any other similar books.
However, if you need recommendations about other themes/subjects/genres…I have plenty to make:D