Historian William Dalrymple discusses his book 'The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World' and argues that India played a significant role in shaping the ancient and medieval world through innovative ideas and cultural exports. He highlights the importance of maritime trade routes and challenges the conventional understanding of the Silk Road, emphasizing India's central role. The book also explores the influence of Buddhism, Hinduism, and mathematics in spreading Indian culture. However, Dalrymple's work has sparked controversy and criticism from some academic historians, who argue that it perpetuates outdated colonial stereotypes and overlooks important aspects of India's history.