Books are more than just words on paper—they’re windows to new perspectives, cultures, and emotions. Indian authors have consistently given the world unforgettable stories, deeply rooted in our diverse traditions and history. Whether you’re into history, thrillers, romance, or mythology, there’s something for everyone in this curated collection.
Here’s a timeless list of the 15 best Indian books you must read at least once in your life.
Table of Contents – 15 Best Indian Books
1. Energize Your Mind – Gaur Gopal Das
If life feels overwhelming, this book offers practical wisdom to bring clarity, peace, and purpose through mindfulness. Perfect for beginners seeking a spiritual reset.
2. The Kargil Story – Deepak Surana
A deeply researched war account that uncovers heroic tales from India’s Kargil conflict, including interviews with over 100 jawans. A must-read for history lovers and patriots.
In this intriguing book, you’ll get to read never heard before stories of the Kargil war. They were collected from over hundred jawans who were a part of the war. The Kargil story is undoubtedly one of the best books especially for those who love history and stories of wars.
3. Bipin: The Man Behind the Uniform – Rachna Bisht Rawat
An emotional and inspiring biography of General Bipin Rawat that reflects his journey from a young cadet to India’s first Chief of Defence Staff.
This book is a tribute to him and follows his life story. The best-selling author of the defence segment, Rachna Bisht Rawat, brings to us this book with details of his life by interviewing his friends and family members. It covers his not-so-smooth journey to the top in the armed forces. And then there are bitter-sweet yet interesting anecdotes from his life to inspire every Indian who cherishes to be in the Army.
4. Smoke and Ashes – Amitav Ghosh
This gripping nonfiction unveils the dark, forgotten history of the opium trade in India and how it shaped global power dynamics.
This book is like a treasure trove hidden at the bottom of an ocean. As Amitav Ghosh pens down the history of Opium in the Indian subcontinent, and the world, we open our eyes to an alternate history that was hidden for so long.
We get to know how Opium was and still is, the driving force behind some of the biggest empires, conglomerates and families. But, that is not all, he also makes a shocking discovery that if it were not for the Opium trade, the Britishers would not have been able to rule us that long.
5. Victory City – Salman Rushdie
A fantastical historical fiction that explores power, creativity, and downfall through the story of Kampana and the mythical city she builds.
The Booker Prize winning author is back with a novel that stirs our imagination with adventure, mythology and magic. The story follows a nine- year-old-Kampana, who has been granted a boon to create one of the best cities of the ancient world. But, Kampana’s excessive obsession with the city, even decades later, turns her boon to bane and causes the city to perish.
6. The Bandit Queens – Parini Shroff
Darkly humorous and brilliantly feminist, this novel tells the story of a woman rumored to have killed her husband—and how she uses that reputation to help others.
Parini Shroff’s debut novel, The Bandit Queens, is so good that it restores our faith in the beginner’s luck. A woman lives up to the rumour of being her husband’s killer and makes full use of it.
However, when other women approach her for solutions to get rid of their useless husbands, the problem starts. The funny, witty and unusual feel-good story is hard to forget, and you must read it, or you’ll be losing out on one of the best Indian books of 2024.
7. Homeless: Growing Homosexual and Dyslexic in India – K Vaishali
A raw, autobiographical journey of resilience that confronts societal taboos around sexuality and learning disorders in India.
This book is K Vaishali’s autobiography where she opens up about herself, her life and choices. Being completely honest, this is her bold attempt to open up to a prejudiced world. She discloses about her being a homosexual and problems with learning. And despite all the surmounting challenges, she finds courage to leave her house, breathe free and live life on her own terms.
8. I Hear You – Nidhi Upadhyay
A psychological thriller about a woman carrying a genetically altered fetus that can communicate with her. A unique and eerie tale that keeps you guessing.
Nidhi Upadhyay’s latest psychological thriller is unlike anything you’ve read before. The gripping tale is about Mihika carrying the world’s first genetically altered foetus to save her marriage. But little does she realize it has superpowers, and unlike other unborn, can respond to her. The gripping suspense novel and its unpredictable ending will take you by surprise, that we can promise.
9. R.A.W. Hitman – Hussain Zaidi
Based on real events, this espionage thriller explores India’s undercover war against terror through the story of an agent shrouded in mystery.
Like most of his previous works, Zaidi’s latest novel is based on actual events too. It revolves around a mysterious R.A.W. Agent Lima, who was behind the death of dreaded gangsters Raju Pargai and Amit Arya. But, what does N.S.G. commando Lakshman “Lucky” Bisht, personal security officer of LK Advani and then CM Narendra Modi, have to do with the case?
10. Aryaa – Shivakumar GV
This book brings to life the untold stories of strong Vedic women—wise, brave, and progressive—who have been hidden in ancient texts for centuries.
Shivakumar’s thought-provoking novel has ten short stories based on strong-willed women from the Vedic age. This book is a closer and deeper look at the lives of these women as it demystifies the mystery surrounding them. While we’ve often read about different aspects of their lives in various mythologies, there was nothing concrete about them until now. The book depicts their eternal wisdom, bravery and unconventional choices that seem almost unreal.
11. A Dark and Shiny Place – Pragati Deshmukh
A haunting tale of a woman’s descent into paranormal delusion during the pandemic. Suspense, trauma, and mental health are skillfully woven into this gripping story.
Pragati Deshmukh’s suspense thriller is about a happily married woman whose life turns upside down as the pandemic hits her. Confined within the four walls of her home, she’s experiencing the paranormal as she loses a sense of reality.
The edge-of-seat thriller will immerse you in Maya’s dark and broken world. With only her sister Meera in her support, will Maya gain a grip on her reality, or will she succumb to her darkness? Don’t miss out on this gem. Read it.
12. Sahela Re: A Novel – Mrinal Pande
A beautiful tribute to Hindustani classical music through the journey of a music teacher. It revives the magic of old mehfils and soulful traditions.
One of the benefits of reading the best Indian books is that they connect us with the glorious aspects of our culture. Sahela Re is an ode to one such treasure, Hindustani classical music. It follows a music teacher’s journey as she unravels the beautiful musical traditions of the past.
We get to know of glimpses of its glorious mehfils and ghazals as she keeps travelling around the world and meeting people who’ve still kept the tradition alive through their performances. Though the book was originally in Marathi, Priyanka Sarkar has beautifully translated it in English.
13. Nala Damayanti – Anand Neelakantan
A mythological love story from the Mahabharata told with emotional depth and timeless wisdom. A compelling blend of devotion, struggle, and divine intervention.
This novel is based on an epic love story straight out of the timeless mythology Mahabharat. When Brahma had second thoughts about creating humans and decided to end them, a Swan intervened. Brahma gives him the most difficult task of uniting tribal King, Nala and eternal beauty, Damayanti. Read the enchanting story about how love emerged despite many hostile situations and evil lurking in the shadow.
14. The Indian Metropolis – Varun Gandhi
A bold and thought-provoking critique of urban development in India. Gandhi questions Westernized growth models and offers a more humane vision for progress.
The thought provoking book is like an open debate about the real scenes bugging the urban India. As a politician and an Indian, Varun Gandhi, aptly questions our development models that simply ape the West but have no human touch to it. He shows us that there are downsides to it and provides solutions as well.
15. The Invisible Enemy – Girish Kuber
A chilling look at the global history of biochemical weapons and their silent threats to humanity. Especially relevant in the post-pandemic world.
The book traces the origin of bio-chemical weapons and how they’ve been used over time by warring nations. The Invisible Enemy is an eye-opener that warns us about how these dangerous weapons are a threat to humanity a large. After having lived through the pandemic, whose origin is still debatable, this book is what we need to read to know more about what goes behind the scenes. The book was initially published in Marathi and translated into English by Subha Pande.
These best Indian books reflect the richness of Indian literature—across culture, history, thrillers, and personal narratives. Whether you’re new to reading or a lifelong bookworm, this list has something transformative for you.
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🔖 Tip: Save this list for your next reading challenge or book club selection!
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