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Partition of India: Legend and Reality
Book by Seervai, H. M
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
333 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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November 19, 2018 This is not a review written by me but back cover description of the book
This is a remarkable study of the events leading up to the Partition of India in August 1947. Based on painstaking research of voluminous material on the politics of the period from 1935 to 1947, the author has provided an objective account of the role played by the protagonist, namely Jinnah , Gandhi, Nehru, Azad and last two British viceroy, Wavell and Mountbatten.
The author's overall thesis is that while there was an element of duplicity in the conduct of all Congress leaders, with the exception of Azad, Jinnah's politics were largely transparent and consistent.
The Congress leaders , particularly Gandhi and Nehru, though genuinely committed to their ideologies (Gandhi's Ahimsa and non-violence and Nehru's socialist thinking combined with an intellectual approach), were not sufficiently pragmatic.Instead they were often motivated by a desire to be perceived as idealists.
According to the author, Jinnah was a sincere nationalist and believed in secular and democratic future of India. However, he was concerned about the rights of the Muslims and realized that the Congress leaders would not provide the Muslims with equal opportunity after Independence. Therefore , he sought out ironclad guarantees and almost to the end hoped that this could be achieved through constitutional means without partition of India. It was only when he finally realized that Congress would not concede this, that he embraced the concept of Pakistan, and worked successfully for its implementation.
Importantly, the study goes a long way towards restoring the reputation of Wavell, whereas it concludes that Mountbatten was 'weighed in the balance and found wanting'.
H.M Seervai has substantiated his argument at every stage with facts , most of which were obtained from contemporary accounts and subsequent release of the relevant documents.
This is a remarkable study of the events leading up to the Partition of India in August 1947. Based on painstaking research of voluminous material on the politics of the period from 1935 to 1947, the author has provided an objective account of the role played by the protagonist, namely Jinnah , Gandhi, Nehru, Azad and last two British viceroy, Wavell and Mountbatten.
The author's overall thesis is that while there was an element of duplicity in the conduct of all Congress leaders, with the exception of Azad, Jinnah's politics were largely transparent and consistent.
The Congress leaders , particularly Gandhi and Nehru, though genuinely committed to their ideologies (Gandhi's Ahimsa and non-violence and Nehru's socialist thinking combined with an intellectual approach), were not sufficiently pragmatic.Instead they were often motivated by a desire to be perceived as idealists.
According to the author, Jinnah was a sincere nationalist and believed in secular and democratic future of India. However, he was concerned about the rights of the Muslims and realized that the Congress leaders would not provide the Muslims with equal opportunity after Independence. Therefore , he sought out ironclad guarantees and almost to the end hoped that this could be achieved through constitutional means without partition of India. It was only when he finally realized that Congress would not concede this, that he embraced the concept of Pakistan, and worked successfully for its implementation.
Importantly, the study goes a long way towards restoring the reputation of Wavell, whereas it concludes that Mountbatten was 'weighed in the balance and found wanting'.
H.M Seervai has substantiated his argument at every stage with facts , most of which were obtained from contemporary accounts and subsequent release of the relevant documents.
May 9, 2016
History of the partition of India from lawyer mouth.
The best thing about this book is you can verify every reference in your own capability and cross check almost everything. Even what Mr. seervai had written in his own capability. If a person really wants to know about what happen between the years of the partition so you can refer this book as a source. The data he used as a source for the book so large that a normal person can not write this kind of book. This is the work of India's most celebrated lawyer, legal thinker and writer of the most beautiful as well as a critical book on the constitution of India. Every line of the book is crossed checked multiple times. The authors he used as sources for his writing this book are the best pieces written on the topic and authors ability to understand interpretation line by line in multiple ways is astonishing. The most quoted books in this book are Transfer of Power(it contains official documents of all kind of data of that period,edited and produced by Nicholas Mansergh,appointed by British government.), India wins freedom by Abul kalm azad(president of congress,1940-1945), Eight lives by Rajmohan gandhi, Wavell : the viceroy journal by penderel moon, zeiler, zeiler's mountbatten biography, k m munshi etc. This authors are quoted most of the time. But Transfer of power document is main source here. All those who loves Gandhi, Nehru and sardar, please read this book. You will find constructive criticism of their actions and policies before and after independence. I am also the biggest fan and the follower of the Mahatma Gandhi but liberal. I read books of all kind(criticism or in support, or central). This is critical to center book. It seems author don't like Gandhi much but he did his work independently without any doubt. according to the author Gandhi, Nehru, and Sardar are the most responsible person for the partition of India. And part and actions of Gandhi in trio is most powerful. So Jinnah was not the real architect of partition of India. He gave so many right references for his conclusion and constructively gave his opinion. As a follower of Gandhi I accept his conclusion with whole heart. The other personality Jinnah was not as much responsible for partition as we Indian think and read about him in our school books and academic books. I think Jinnah is list responsible person for partition after reading this book.Criticism and support of Mr abul kalam azad views are also main features of this book.Other than all this the most commendable research and hard work of the author is heart touching. to read this book will be your most precious time.
Thank you Mr. Seervai
The best thing about this book is you can verify every reference in your own capability and cross check almost everything. Even what Mr. seervai had written in his own capability. If a person really wants to know about what happen between the years of the partition so you can refer this book as a source. The data he used as a source for the book so large that a normal person can not write this kind of book. This is the work of India's most celebrated lawyer, legal thinker and writer of the most beautiful as well as a critical book on the constitution of India. Every line of the book is crossed checked multiple times. The authors he used as sources for his writing this book are the best pieces written on the topic and authors ability to understand interpretation line by line in multiple ways is astonishing. The most quoted books in this book are Transfer of Power(it contains official documents of all kind of data of that period,edited and produced by Nicholas Mansergh,appointed by British government.), India wins freedom by Abul kalm azad(president of congress,1940-1945), Eight lives by Rajmohan gandhi, Wavell : the viceroy journal by penderel moon, zeiler, zeiler's mountbatten biography, k m munshi etc. This authors are quoted most of the time. But Transfer of power document is main source here. All those who loves Gandhi, Nehru and sardar, please read this book. You will find constructive criticism of their actions and policies before and after independence. I am also the biggest fan and the follower of the Mahatma Gandhi but liberal. I read books of all kind(criticism or in support, or central). This is critical to center book. It seems author don't like Gandhi much but he did his work independently without any doubt. according to the author Gandhi, Nehru, and Sardar are the most responsible person for the partition of India. And part and actions of Gandhi in trio is most powerful. So Jinnah was not the real architect of partition of India. He gave so many right references for his conclusion and constructively gave his opinion. As a follower of Gandhi I accept his conclusion with whole heart. The other personality Jinnah was not as much responsible for partition as we Indian think and read about him in our school books and academic books. I think Jinnah is list responsible person for partition after reading this book.Criticism and support of Mr abul kalam azad views are also main features of this book.Other than all this the most commendable research and hard work of the author is heart touching. to read this book will be your most precious time.
Thank you Mr. Seervai
October 7, 2020
I remember reading this book as the first chapter of Seervai's Commentary on the Indian Constitution and thinking that it deserves a book on its own which you can recommend to someone so they can read it at some place not necessarily a lawyer's chamber. Even though H M Seervai, isn't technically the 'other side' in this India vs Pakistan debate on Partition, he provides an unbiased view, something very rare in books written on such sensitive topics. He not only lays the facts to the best of his ability, but also puts them into proper context so that you can come to a conclusion on your own.
We have all been reading about our national freedom struggle since the time from school but I haven't come across any other material like this. It is truly, a gem, erstwhile hidden under the shade of Seervai's seminal work on constitution, but now out for the world to appreciate.
We have all been reading about our national freedom struggle since the time from school but I haven't come across any other material like this. It is truly, a gem, erstwhile hidden under the shade of Seervai's seminal work on constitution, but now out for the world to appreciate.
May 10, 2015
Fascinating read. An eye opener. Turns your view of history on it's head, if it is true. And there is no reason to doubt that it is true, as it is full of references that can be verified by reviewers.
It simply adds to the belief that history belongs to the victorious, it just doesn't matter what actually happened...!!!
It simply adds to the belief that history belongs to the victorious, it just doesn't matter what actually happened...!!!
December 8, 2015
A fascinating read right through. The basic rule of fairness is to hear both the sides. Though H M Seervai can't be termed as someone from the other side, he does give a detailed insight into the thinking of our side , the other side and another side as well. The authenticity of the issues raised here can't be questioned. Such is the research and the references that have been made.
To me the best thing about the book is it humanises our Gods (Gandhi, Nehru, et Al) and our monsters (Jinnah, Muslim league) and dehumanises our apparent well wishers (Mountbatten British). A true eye opener.
To me the best thing about the book is it humanises our Gods (Gandhi, Nehru, et Al) and our monsters (Jinnah, Muslim league) and dehumanises our apparent well wishers (Mountbatten British). A true eye opener.
February 22, 2013
Absolutely essential for students and scholars of modern Indian history. Eye-opener on the role of "famed" Indian leaders like Gandhi and Nehru. A must-read and must-have book.
July 29, 2025
H.M. Seervai’s The Partition of India: Legend and Reality is an impressively detailed and rigorously researched work that stands out for its careful use of primary sources. Seervai dissects the political and constitutional developments leading to Partition with a lawyer’s precision, bringing clarity to events that are often clouded by myth and emotion. His commitment to factual accuracy and historical documentation makes this a vital resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the mechanics behind one of the subcontinent’s most pivotal moments.
That said, the book can feel quite dense at times, heavy with facts and legal reasoning, which may slow the pace for readers less familiar with the period or the political context. Still, for those willing to engage with it, Seervai offers a rewarding and eye-opening perspective.
That said, the book can feel quite dense at times, heavy with facts and legal reasoning, which may slow the pace for readers less familiar with the period or the political context. Still, for those willing to engage with it, Seervai offers a rewarding and eye-opening perspective.
October 9, 2025
That's a good book explaining the partition of India and revealing the reality behind it and showing the true colours of every political party and leaders.
October 17, 2013
The meticulous research by Seervai has no parallel. An excellent work to provide true picture of events leading to partition of India. Need for such a book can not be over-emphasized as a closure to millions of families affected by partition; which is also reflected by the dedication recorded in the book:
This book is dedicated to the men, women and children of a united India who in their millions were driven to painful and perilous migrations and who in their hundreds of thousands suffered unspeakable agony and death.
August 31, 2015
This book gives an unbiased and shocking account of the transfer of power in India. It shed some light on the eminent Indian Leaders contribution in partition, thus breaking the myth about it. The references of the writer are most authentic and praiseworthy as they are taken mostly from the official British documents 'The Transfer of Power' which is published in 12 Volumes. It is a Himalayan task to go through those papers let alone summarize them in 250 pages. A book for those who seek the truth about partition, but one has to be aware of Indian Independence history first.
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