The Light of Asia: The Poem that Defined the Buddha

• Jairam Ramesh examines how Arnold’s poem inspired figures such as Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and B.R. Ambedkar. The book also explores Arnold’s own life, his engagement with Sanskrit literature, and his contribution to shaping modern perceptions of Buddhism and Bodh Gaya.

Jairam Ramesh is an Indian economist, author and politician who has served as a Union minister and Rajya Sabha member. He has written several acclaimed books on Indian history, politics and prominent historical personalities.

The book tells the story of The Light of Asia, an epic poem that transformed the Western understanding of the Buddha. Ramesh traces its creation, worldwide reception and influence in India, while examining the lives and ideas of both Sir Edwin Arnold and Gautama Buddha. It is a blend of literary biography, intellectual history and the history of Buddhism.