It needs more than love to write about India

Stepping into the soul of India is not easy for a foreign writer; the journey needs more than mere love for the country. The process requires an identification with history, facts at fingertips and an uncanny nose for immediate socio-political contexts, show landmark books written over the years.

When Belgian corporate executive-cum historian Dirk Collier decided to walk into the mind of 16th century Muslim visionary, emperor Akbar, for instance, he nearly adopted an Indian identity for himself.

Collier, who made at least 50 trips to India over 10 years and took seven years to write the book, said he was inspired to write a book after seeing a painting commissioned by Akbar's son Jahangir in which the latter was shown holding his father's portrait.

Full report here Times of India