Alberuni's aim was to acquire an exact understanding of the Hindus' knowledge of the natural world, to make it possible for Muslims to converse with the Hindus, and to discuss with them questions of religion, science, or literature, on the very basis of their own civilization."" For thirteen years he traveled in North India, observing, questioning, and studying. The result was an account of Indian culture that is unique in its sympathetic understanding, shrewdness of observation, and probing analysis.
Alberuni's India is one of the greatest achievements of medieval scholarship. Not for nearly eight hundred years would any other writer match Alberuni's profound understanding of almost all aspects of Indian life.Buy Alberuni's India by Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Biruni from Australia's Online Independent Bookstore, BooksDirect.