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1947-1957, India: the Birth of a Republic
The story of a decade -1947 to 1957- that made and unmade India
The first decade after India's independence, 1947-1957, was probably the most crucial in the nation's history. Opening a window to this period, this book weaves a story out of the complex ideas and events that have largely remained beneath the surface of public discourse. The transfer of power, the framing of the Constitution and the formation of the governance machinery; the clash of ideas and ideologies among parties and personalities; the beginning of the disintegration of the Congress and the consolidation of political forces in the opposition; Nehru's grappling with existential problems at home and his quest for global peace; the interplay between democratic ideals and ruthless power play-all these factors impinged on each other and shaped the new republic in its formative decade.
Thought-provoking, argumentative and unputdownable, 1947-1957, The Birth of a Republic is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian political history.
The first decade after India's independence, 1947-1957, was probably the most crucial in the nation's history. Opening a window to this period, this book weaves a story out of the complex ideas and events that have largely remained beneath the surface of public discourse. The transfer of power, the framing of the Constitution and the formation of the governance machinery; the clash of ideas and ideologies among parties and personalities; the beginning of the disintegration of the Congress and the consolidation of political forces in the opposition; Nehru's grappling with existential problems at home and his quest for global peace; the interplay between democratic ideals and ruthless power play-all these factors impinged on each other and shaped the new republic in its formative decade.
Thought-provoking, argumentative and unputdownable, 1947-1957, The Birth of a Republic is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian political history.
- GenresHistoryIndiaNonfiction
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2023
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January 29, 2024
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Chandrachur Ghose's 1947-1957 India, takes you on a ride down the memory lane into the early years after India's independence. From the political negotiations for independence to the challenges of partition and the birth of the republic, Ghose unveils the behind-the-scenes stories that shaped modern India.
The first decade after India’s independence, 1947-1957, was probably the most crucial in the nation’s history. Opening a window to this period, this book weaves a story out of the complex ideas and events that have largely remained beneath the surface of public discourse.
It talks about the transfer of power, the framing of the Constitution and the formation of the governance machinery; the clash of ideas and ideologies among parties and personalities; the beginning of the disintegration of the Congress and the consolidation of political forces in the opposition; Nehru’s grappling with existential problems at home and his quest for global peace; the interplay between democratic ideals and ruthless power play-all these factors impinged on each other and shaped the new republic in its formative decade.
The book explores the political maneuvering and challenges faced by leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, and Azad during this tumultuous period. Ghose talks at length about the integration of princely states, shedding light on Patel's strategic moves and the impact of the Kashmir issue on India-Pakistan relations. With a keen eye for detail, Ghose delves into the human toll of Partition, critiques the leadership during communal violence, and navigates India's diplomatic stance in the Cold War era. The book also highlights the ideological tensions within Congress, especially between Nehru and Patel, and how it affected the destiny of the newly-formed Republic. The narrative cleverly weaves together diverse perspectives, making the history accessible to both casual readers and scholars.
Ghose combines rigorous scholarship with lucid writing, offering an authoritative yet readable chronicle of India's formative decade. Providing a compelling insight into India's trials, tribulations, and triumphs during its early years of independence, this book proves to be a real page-turner for history fanatics as well as newbies exploring the genre.
Chandrachur Ghose's 1947-1957 India, takes you on a ride down the memory lane into the early years after India's independence. From the political negotiations for independence to the challenges of partition and the birth of the republic, Ghose unveils the behind-the-scenes stories that shaped modern India.
The first decade after India’s independence, 1947-1957, was probably the most crucial in the nation’s history. Opening a window to this period, this book weaves a story out of the complex ideas and events that have largely remained beneath the surface of public discourse.
It talks about the transfer of power, the framing of the Constitution and the formation of the governance machinery; the clash of ideas and ideologies among parties and personalities; the beginning of the disintegration of the Congress and the consolidation of political forces in the opposition; Nehru’s grappling with existential problems at home and his quest for global peace; the interplay between democratic ideals and ruthless power play-all these factors impinged on each other and shaped the new republic in its formative decade.
The book explores the political maneuvering and challenges faced by leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, and Azad during this tumultuous period. Ghose talks at length about the integration of princely states, shedding light on Patel's strategic moves and the impact of the Kashmir issue on India-Pakistan relations. With a keen eye for detail, Ghose delves into the human toll of Partition, critiques the leadership during communal violence, and navigates India's diplomatic stance in the Cold War era. The book also highlights the ideological tensions within Congress, especially between Nehru and Patel, and how it affected the destiny of the newly-formed Republic. The narrative cleverly weaves together diverse perspectives, making the history accessible to both casual readers and scholars.
Ghose combines rigorous scholarship with lucid writing, offering an authoritative yet readable chronicle of India's formative decade. Providing a compelling insight into India's trials, tribulations, and triumphs during its early years of independence, this book proves to be a real page-turner for history fanatics as well as newbies exploring the genre.
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October 23, 20231947-1957 India: The Birth of a Republic
Author: Chandrachur Ghose
Genre: History
Published by Vintage (An Imprint of Penguin Random House)
Pages: 300
MRP: Rs. 799/-
Acknoledgement: Thank you @penguinindia for a review copy of the book.
Chandrachur Ghose's new book 1947-1957, India offers a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the tumultuous first decade of India's independence. Spanning the transfer of power from the British Raj to a sovereign republic, Ghose peels back the curtain to reveal the personalities, relationships, and political machinations that shaped modern India.
The book opens with the tense negotiations between Indian nationalist leaders, the Muslim League, and the outgoing British Viceroy Lord Mountbatten to chart the subcontinent's transition to independence. Ghose vividly illustrates the divisions among Congress leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Patel and Azad over acceding to partition and dominion status. He highlights how the threat of mutiny from Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army pushed a war-weary Britain into hastily relinquishing the jewel of its empire.
From there, Ghose chronicles the herculean task of integrating the princely states into the Dominion of India. Patel's mastery as the iron man of Congress shines through in the deft political maneuvering, alternating between carrots and sticks, he employed to bring recalcitrant rulers in line. The integration was almost derailed by the vacillating Maharaja of Kashmir until Pakistan's tribal invasion forced his hand. Ghose offers an intriguing counterfactual on how relations between India and Pakistan may have evolved had Kashmir acceded to the latter.
Continue reading full review here: https://www.keetabikeeda.in/post/unve...
Author: Chandrachur Ghose
Genre: History
Published by Vintage (An Imprint of Penguin Random House)
Pages: 300
MRP: Rs. 799/-
Acknoledgement: Thank you @penguinindia for a review copy of the book.
Chandrachur Ghose's new book 1947-1957, India offers a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the tumultuous first decade of India's independence. Spanning the transfer of power from the British Raj to a sovereign republic, Ghose peels back the curtain to reveal the personalities, relationships, and political machinations that shaped modern India.
The book opens with the tense negotiations between Indian nationalist leaders, the Muslim League, and the outgoing British Viceroy Lord Mountbatten to chart the subcontinent's transition to independence. Ghose vividly illustrates the divisions among Congress leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Patel and Azad over acceding to partition and dominion status. He highlights how the threat of mutiny from Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army pushed a war-weary Britain into hastily relinquishing the jewel of its empire.
From there, Ghose chronicles the herculean task of integrating the princely states into the Dominion of India. Patel's mastery as the iron man of Congress shines through in the deft political maneuvering, alternating between carrots and sticks, he employed to bring recalcitrant rulers in line. The integration was almost derailed by the vacillating Maharaja of Kashmir until Pakistan's tribal invasion forced his hand. Ghose offers an intriguing counterfactual on how relations between India and Pakistan may have evolved had Kashmir acceded to the latter.
Continue reading full review here: https://www.keetabikeeda.in/post/unve...
October 12, 2024
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October 9, 2023
8:20 AM, 15th August 1947, the ministers-designate of the Dominion of India, take their seats in Rashtrapati Bhavan. India was now free and the British Raj was over. What happened during the first decade of our freedom?
The unsaid stories, underlying facts, making of the constitution, foreign relations, recasting and rebuilding of our armed forces and a lot more that remained unsaid..or was kept unsaid? This book has educated me and I love such books that teach so much -new and fresh
so much about the freedom age. I recalled a few head titles from the history textbook, some names were familiar whereas some were a complete stranger.
India's history has always been a complex subject to talk about. The more you read, the deeper you get into the roots.
I have some more books about Indian and Polity that I might pick up at the end of the coming month. For now, this book, with a lot of info, facts and fig. is what I will go with and reflect on a few notes.
The unsaid stories, underlying facts, making of the constitution, foreign relations, recasting and rebuilding of our armed forces and a lot more that remained unsaid..or was kept unsaid? This book has educated me and I love such books that teach so much -new and fresh
so much about the freedom age. I recalled a few head titles from the history textbook, some names were familiar whereas some were a complete stranger.
India's history has always been a complex subject to talk about. The more you read, the deeper you get into the roots.
I have some more books about Indian and Polity that I might pick up at the end of the coming month. For now, this book, with a lot of info, facts and fig. is what I will go with and reflect on a few notes.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews