This course offers a broad historical and cultural survey of the civilizations of the Indian subcontinent from the 12th century to Partition in 1947. Attention will be paid to the geography and ethnography of the region, its political history, and the religious, philosophical, literary, and artistic movements that have shaped it and contributed to its development as a unique, diverse, and fascinating world civilization. Lectures, readings, and class discussions will center on texts that have characterized major cultural, religious, and political formations from the medieval period to the 20th century. This course is open to all interested students and is required for those majoring or minoring in South Asian Studies.