Ashoka, the emperor who united India, is among the greatest monarchs in the history of the world. In this book, Charles Allen tells the fascinating story of how Ashoka was lost to India and was re-discovered.

This incredible journey takes one through the Greek empire to all corners of the Indian subcontinent including the Indus valley. One meets emperors Alexander, Chandragupta, Harsha, the Guptas and the Satavahanas. At times, the Chinese travellers Huen Tsang (Xuanzang) and Fa Hien direct the discoveries, and sometimes, one gets clues from the Pali scriptures from Sri Lanka.

Along the way, one also meets the gifted Chanakya as well as great men like Dr. Bhandarkar, Pandit Nehru and Dr. Ambedkar. Oriental scholars such as Alexander Cunningham, William Jones and James Prinsep are the true heroes of this tale of discovery.

Dr. Dhananjay Chavan has translated the book into Marathi aided by extensive correspondence with the author.