Ancient history and archaeology always interested me: William Dalrymple at Rising Bharat Summit

Scottish historian William Dalrymple on Wednesday said that ancient history and archaeology always excited me when asked what was the idea behind his book The Golden Road, which focuses on ancient India after writing on Mughals and British for a long time.

"I back to the subjects which had interested me as a teenager. I've originally keen archaeology and ancient history. It was wonderful to discover a completely new world, ancient India, the extraordinary period when India was at the center of Asia," he said at Network 18's Rising Bharat Summit.

"India was the center initially of trade and economy. India was connected to both Rome and to Southeast Asia and China," he added.

He then further said that he loved exploring ancient India when he came to India first and went to Gwalior, Sanchi, Khajurao, Ajanta and Ellora caves, however over the time got engaged with the East India Company. He also said that the history of this period is often locked into different silos.