Question

a very brief summary of "tracing changes through a thousand years"

Answer 1

These thousand years of Indian history witnessed
considerable change. After all, the sixteenth and
eighteenth centuries were quite different from the eighth
or the eleventh. Therefore, describing the entire period
as one historical unit is not without its problems.
Moreover, the “medieval” period is often contrasted with
the “modern” period. “Modernity” carries with it a sense
of material progress and intellectual advancement. This
seems to suggest that the medieval period was lacking
in any change whatsoever. But of course we know this
was not the case.
During these thousand years the societies of the
subcontinent were transformed often and economies
in several regions reached a level of prosperity that
attracted the interest of European trading companies.
As you read this book, look out for signs of change and
the historical processes at work. Also, whenever you
can, try and compare what you read in this book with
what you read last year. Look out for changes and
continuities wherever you can, and look at the world
around you to see what else has changed or remained
the same.