Akshay Chavan is a writer, historian, and anthropologist with over two decades of experience documenting India’s rich heritage and cultural landscapes. A graduate of the University of Lancaster, UK, he co-founded Peepul Tree Stories – Live History India in 2017, India’s premier digital platform dedicated to history and culture. He further honed his expertise in the anthropology of arts and crafts at the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) of Great Britain and Ireland. With over 200 published articles on Indian history, culture, and art, his work reflects deep scholarly insight and an ability to make history resonate with contemporary audiences.
Chavan’s path-breaking book, The Wealth Networks of India, is being represented by A Suitable Agency. This powerful and original work reimagines Indian history through the lens of commerce, geography, and culture, tracing the evolution of faith, ideas, and societies through the movement of wealth. Featuring a Foreword by eminent mythologist and author Devdutt Pattanaik, the book offers a fresh perspective on India’s past, shaped by its dynamic economic and cultural exchanges.
Blending rigorous research with engaging storytelling, Chavan uncovers how rivers, deserts, mountains, and coastlines dictated the rise of trade hubs, financial empires, and cultural legacies—forming at least 15 wealth networks across the subcontinent. From the ancient ports of Sopara and Muziris to the global reach of Sindhi traders and the Marwari banking networks, The Wealth Networks of India explores the forces that fuelled India’s economic destiny.
The Wealth Networks of India brings India’s past to life, making it not just accessible but deeply relevant to the modern world.