This was particularly good reading it so soon after reading A Suitable Boy, a novel set in India shortly after independence, so in the time period at the beginning of the [India after Gandhi]. I was also glad to have had the background provided by [India, a History], although I definitely only remembered the broad strokes from that work, it did mean that I better understood such issues as how the Princely states would be integrated into India.

The book ran 750 pages, but was lively reading. I had no idea what a multi-ethnic place India is. Of course, I knew about Muslims and Hindus and the conflict over Kashmir. I had heard about Indira Gandhi being assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, and the killing of Sikhs that happened afterward in response. But I hadn't known how many different linguistic communities there were, or how much of an issue it was to them to maintain their different languages rather than accept Hindu as a national language. I didn't know there were tribal peoples - groups considered to have been original before the migrations of Dravidian (possibly from Iran) and Indo-Aryans, possibly from the Central Asian Steppes that happened around 1700 BC and later. Nor did I have any idea of the multiple other conflicts that India has faced from Independence from the British up to the present.

The book was very good at presenting a much more complete picture of issues that I'd only known a little of from the outside, such as Indira Gandhi declaring a state of emergency which lasted for a couple of years. The overall theme is how India persevered as a democracy - though an imperfect one - despite all the odds against it, including poverty, the many cultures and religions, the lack of a long democratic tradition. A big part of this might be the remarkable leaders that India had just after partition, such as Nehru who was committed to the protection of minorities and political rights for oppressed groups such as the untouchables and women.

I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about one of the world's largest nations, and one of the most diverse. ( )

This is a superb book. In clear, measured prose, Indian polymath Ramachandra Guha (author of other excellent books on topics as diverse as cricket and environmentalism) outlines and explains the complicated political, economic, diplomatic, environmental, military and cultural factors which have transformed the India of 1947, newly independent and riven by Partition, into the India of today. The book is particularly strong on the ways in which democracy has taken root in India. It's long - my edition ran to 771 pages, plus copious notes - but so clearly written that it is not a chore to read. If you are at all interested in India, or in modern history, I highly recommend this book. ( )

An Indian historian, from what I could understand, submitted theses on esoteric topics,worked in the backwaters of a humanities department , and took time off in the evenings for the real job - currying favor with whatever political outfit (s)he
used as a reference point for the bully pulpit.
Thought processes that suggested diversion from these agendas were unaffordable luxuries. History was part of the spoils of repeating political battles; it was to be laid claim upon, even created, but never discovered.

By those standards, Ramachandra Guha is hardly a historian, let alone an eminent one. This book is engaging, provocative, and even affectionate in its pursuit of its subject. So much so that it seems like the crystallization of years of accumulated academic curiosity.Perhaps the author got up one morning and discovered that a book could actually be compiled out of all the meandering coffee breaks he sneaked out of a demanding day-job. And he rubbed his hands in glee at the avalanche of personal satisfaction that seemed to beckon. ( )

Multiple histories are what make this work work. The contradictions in this 'democracy' are mind-boggling. Guha's account and his selective highlighting of events gives us a deeper window into a post-independence India: http://www.purao.net/wiki/IndiaAfterG... ( )

Ramachandra has crafted a wonderful book on the recent history of India. The book begins with the transfer of power from the British rule to the Republic of India, and then follows India's growth from a birth of a nation to the current economic boom and India's emergence as a world power. The history of India is complex, and to jump into it is a bit daunting, as most of us have very little knowledge of the history preceding independence. However, the author does not only explain the many unique aspects of Indian culture, he also brings it together in a very clear, interesting and exciting narrative.

Beginning with Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, the author writes of the difficult challenges India faced in becoming a nation and of trying to live up to the ideals which lead to independence. From choosing the national language, integrating the lands of stately princes, and creating a nation that served all its people no matter their caste, religion or sex, Nehru and others in the Congress (like Vallabhbhai Patel and B. R. Ambedkar) had a huge task on their hands. They laid down a strong democratic foundation for India, one that would be tested after Nehru's death. Unfortunately, those who lead after Nehru and his cabinet were less concerned with building a nation and more in helping themselves. Indira Gandhi, Nehru's daughter, became prime minister and split the congress, taking India in a direction quite different from her father's. Indira, when facing impeachment, enforced emergency rule, where she practically ruled as a dictator for almost 2 years. Fortunately, democracy was soon restored by Indira herself calling for fresh elections, but afterwords self-interest became the staple of Indian government which it still struggles with to this day. The author also touches on many other aspects of this developing nation. He writes about the constant struggle with Pakistan over Kashmir, the border disputes between China and India, the growing religious tensions between the Hindu majority and Muslim minority and between different castes (often exploited for political gain), and much more. There is a lot to cover in this short period of history, but Ramachandra does an excellent job of pulling it all together and still making it enjoyable for the reader.

Ramachandra has written a fine history. It's easy to read, and even though the length may be daunting to some (over 900 pages!) its just such a fascinating story that its hard to put down. Highly recommended. ( )