Darymple tells what may have been an untold story about the web of trade, culture and knowledge ties with India at the center since pre-Roman times until Mongol conquests in the 13th century made the trade route known as the Silk Road possible. He also shows how the Christian triumph at Grenada may have triggered the renaissance as this knowledge from the east made its way to the west. William Dalrymple, a Scot who lived most of his life in India is the perfect person to tell this story.