D.N. Jha

Dwijendra Narayan Jha (1940–2021), popularly known as D.N. Jha, was a prominent Indian historian who specialized in ancient and medieval India. He served as a professor of history at Delhi University until his retirement in 2005 and was a member of the Indian Council of Historical Research. Known for challenging communal distortions of history, his significant works include Ancient India: In Historical Outline and The Myth of the Holy Cow, where he argued against popular beliefs regarding the sanctity of cows and highlighted beef-eating traditions in early India. In Drink of Immortality (2020), Jha explores the history of distillation and alcohol use in ancient India, drawing on religious and secular texts to demonstrate its prevalence and cultural significance.