Through this book Kosambi revolutionised Indian historiography with his realistic and scientific approach.

He understood history in terms of the dynamics of socio-economic formations rather than just a chronological narration of "episodes" or the feats of a few great men – kings, warriors or saints.

In the very first paragraph of his classic work, An Introduction to the Study of Indian History, he gives an insight into his methodology as a prelude to his life work on ancient Indian history: If people cannot distinguish physical from man-made necessity, if they do not consciously search out the hidden laws of matter, they remain helpless in the face of nature.

Therefore, later Brahminism greatly restricted both human freedom – the recognition of necessity – and the production of value, which is measured by SOCIALLY NECESSARY labour-time.

The incompatibility grew with the practice of forging or rewriting sacred works to order.” According to A. L. Basham, "An Introduction to the Study of Indian History is in many respects an epoch making work, containing brilliantly original ideas on almost every page; if it contains errors and misrepresentations, if now and then its author attempts to force his data into a rather doctrinaire pattern, this does not appreciably lessen the significance of this very exciting book, which has stimulated the thought of thousands of students throughout the world.