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565: The Dramatic Story of Unifying India
Only two months to freedom.
A jigsaw of around 565* princely states.
At the stroke of midnight on 15 August 1947, India could emerge as a united nation. Or disintegrate into several pieces.
On 3 June 1947, Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India, makes a historic announcement. After two centuries of being a colony, India would finally become an independent nation on 15 August 1947.
Yet there is no India as we know it today, only a patchwork of territories forming British India, and kingdoms ruled by maharajas and nawabs who had pledged their allegiance to the British Crown. The rulers are given three accede to India, join Pakistan, or remain free. While many of the nearly 600 rulers unite with India, some with larger kingdoms decide to either wait for a better bargain, negotiate terms for joining Pakistan, or use the opportunity to give flight to their lofty ambitions. As the sun is poised to set on the British Empire, the future of India hangs in the balance.
What unfolds in those nerve-racking last days of the Raj?
In a gripping account, highlighting the key events and personalities of the time, this thoroughly researched book introduces young adults and older readers to the dramatic saga of how a great nation was forged.
A jigsaw of around 565* princely states.
At the stroke of midnight on 15 August 1947, India could emerge as a united nation. Or disintegrate into several pieces.
On 3 June 1947, Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India, makes a historic announcement. After two centuries of being a colony, India would finally become an independent nation on 15 August 1947.
Yet there is no India as we know it today, only a patchwork of territories forming British India, and kingdoms ruled by maharajas and nawabs who had pledged their allegiance to the British Crown. The rulers are given three accede to India, join Pakistan, or remain free. While many of the nearly 600 rulers unite with India, some with larger kingdoms decide to either wait for a better bargain, negotiate terms for joining Pakistan, or use the opportunity to give flight to their lofty ambitions. As the sun is poised to set on the British Empire, the future of India hangs in the balance.
What unfolds in those nerve-racking last days of the Raj?
In a gripping account, highlighting the key events and personalities of the time, this thoroughly researched book introduces young adults and older readers to the dramatic saga of how a great nation was forged.
- GenresHistory
619 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 21, 2024
It is a great (but 'big') book written on a turbelent period of modern Indian history.The narration style is innovative to say the least.Whilst reading,often one is eavesdropping in the study of a Nizam to a palace of a Maharaja to Lord Mountabatten's office to Sardar Patel's home.Further,as the book is divided into chapters dealing with a seperate kingdom,the reader is never bored and is always ready to read the next story from another kingdom.The best thing is the postscript where the author also shares the 'sources' and details of the small parts that were fictionalized.There will be six characters in each chapter:V.P.Menon,Sardar Patel,Pandit Nehru,Lord Mountbatten,M.A.Jinnah and the king/nizam/maharaja of a state.The best thing is that the author gives due credit to V.P.Menon and Lord Mountbatten (among others along with Sardar Patel and Pandit Nehru) for their efforts to make India as we see today.It is a 'must-read' book.
August 16, 2025
A good refresher on the immense project of unifying India, this book offers a compelling narrative of a pivotal moment in the nation's history. It effectively uses storytelling and deeply researched sketches to recount the complex process of integrating over 500 princely states into the Indian Union. However, two aspects of the book feel somewhat underdeveloped, preventing it from being a truly comprehensive account.
1. A Shortchanged Role for Jawaharlal Nehru
The book feels as though it shortchanges the role of Nehru. While the narrative rightfully focuses on the monumental efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the contribution of Nehru, as the first Prime Minister, is given less prominence.
2. The "Ultimate Trick" Feels Random
The book's portrayal of the "ultimate trick" that led most princes to accede to India feels too random. While the narrative alludes to various pressures and diplomatic maneuvers, it doesn't quite capture the specific, behind-the-scenes negotiations and subtle threats that were instrumental. The use of various instruments like the Instrument of Accession, privy purses, and guarantees of personal privileges were key, and the book's lack of a more detailed and structured explanation of these mechanisms makes the accession of so many states seem like a series of disjointed, almost coincidental, events. A more thorough examination of these political and legal tools would have provided a clearer understanding of how this unification was strategically accomplished.
1. A Shortchanged Role for Jawaharlal Nehru
The book feels as though it shortchanges the role of Nehru. While the narrative rightfully focuses on the monumental efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the contribution of Nehru, as the first Prime Minister, is given less prominence.
2. The "Ultimate Trick" Feels Random
The book's portrayal of the "ultimate trick" that led most princes to accede to India feels too random. While the narrative alludes to various pressures and diplomatic maneuvers, it doesn't quite capture the specific, behind-the-scenes negotiations and subtle threats that were instrumental. The use of various instruments like the Instrument of Accession, privy purses, and guarantees of personal privileges were key, and the book's lack of a more detailed and structured explanation of these mechanisms makes the accession of so many states seem like a series of disjointed, almost coincidental, events. A more thorough examination of these political and legal tools would have provided a clearer understanding of how this unification was strategically accomplished.
August 31, 2024
In the month of August what better book was there to read than 565: The Dramatic Story Of Unifying India, a non-fictional tale of how, during Independnce, various princely states came into India's fold, despite much resistance from the rulers. It was an extremely educative and fun read.
Mallika Ravikumar is a well-respected YA author, but this book transcends audiences. While easy to read for teens and young adults, many actual adults, too, will benefit from reading it.
Much of it was dramatized from a story-telling purpose, but the source data is accurate and well-referenced.
Because every good story needs a villain (or two) Conrad Corfield has been painted in that light as he fought alongside the princes to get them their desires to either be independent or have more autonomy in an independent India, at the cost of potentially harming a united India through nefarious dealings. Besides him, working furiously for Pakistan, was Liaquat Ali Khan (under Jinnah of course), trying to get states such as Bhopal, Jodhpur, Rampur, Junagadh, etc to join Pakistan, however impractical or detrimental it may have been.
Sardar Patel, V.P. Menon and Lord Mountbatten's efforts are to be lauded. I had no idea Lord Mountbatten was so pro-India (vis-a-vis Pakistan) and played a large role in making sure the princely states joined India and not Pakistan.
I liked that Ravikumar clearly clarified which parts were dramatized and which were 'factual'. The dramatization actually made it a funner read as it gave a glimpse of like in princely india (the shikars, the derby, the little train serving food in Gwalior), etc.
While the crux of all the stories is about accession, the Patiala story was more about Partition. Kashmir was a lot about the genesis of its troubled history, and Hyderabad featured the last few days of the British Raj and Gandhi's death.
I do wonder if it would have been a better read (certainly more complex) if it were chronologically laid out vs. state wise. But that's not to say the book was uninteresting in any way.
All in all, I highly recommend this book.
Mallika Ravikumar is a well-respected YA author, but this book transcends audiences. While easy to read for teens and young adults, many actual adults, too, will benefit from reading it.
Much of it was dramatized from a story-telling purpose, but the source data is accurate and well-referenced.
Because every good story needs a villain (or two) Conrad Corfield has been painted in that light as he fought alongside the princes to get them their desires to either be independent or have more autonomy in an independent India, at the cost of potentially harming a united India through nefarious dealings. Besides him, working furiously for Pakistan, was Liaquat Ali Khan (under Jinnah of course), trying to get states such as Bhopal, Jodhpur, Rampur, Junagadh, etc to join Pakistan, however impractical or detrimental it may have been.
Sardar Patel, V.P. Menon and Lord Mountbatten's efforts are to be lauded. I had no idea Lord Mountbatten was so pro-India (vis-a-vis Pakistan) and played a large role in making sure the princely states joined India and not Pakistan.
I liked that Ravikumar clearly clarified which parts were dramatized and which were 'factual'. The dramatization actually made it a funner read as it gave a glimpse of like in princely india (the shikars, the derby, the little train serving food in Gwalior), etc.
While the crux of all the stories is about accession, the Patiala story was more about Partition. Kashmir was a lot about the genesis of its troubled history, and Hyderabad featured the last few days of the British Raj and Gandhi's death.
I do wonder if it would have been a better read (certainly more complex) if it were chronologically laid out vs. state wise. But that's not to say the book was uninteresting in any way.
All in all, I highly recommend this book.
September 14, 2025
Today, we take for granted that India is one united nation. But back in 1947, the very idea of a single India was something many in the West dismissed as impossible. What was then a fragmented land of princely states has, through complex intrigues, intense negotiations, subtle intimidations, and, at times, tragic bloodshed, become the country we know today. This book captures that journey with remarkable detail. The author’s storytelling is vivid—reading it feels like watching a film unfold, except this film is grounded in fact, backed by multiple sources and cross-references woven into every chapter.
That said, the book does have a limitation. Much of it draws on the recollections of Indian leaders such as Sardar Patel, Pandit Nehru, V.P. Menon, and Lord Mountbatten (whose sympathies lay with India). As a result, the narrative tends to portray Pakistan and its leaders as villains, leaving their perspectives underrepresented. History, however, was far more complex—both nations inflicted injustices, and the bloodshed scarred people on both sides of the border.
Despite this, I would strongly recommend this book to every Indian. It is a powerful reminder of how hard-won our unity is, and why we must never take the idea of one India for granted.
That said, the book does have a limitation. Much of it draws on the recollections of Indian leaders such as Sardar Patel, Pandit Nehru, V.P. Menon, and Lord Mountbatten (whose sympathies lay with India). As a result, the narrative tends to portray Pakistan and its leaders as villains, leaving their perspectives underrepresented. History, however, was far more complex—both nations inflicted injustices, and the bloodshed scarred people on both sides of the border.
Despite this, I would strongly recommend this book to every Indian. It is a powerful reminder of how hard-won our unity is, and why we must never take the idea of one India for granted.
November 21, 2025
Mallika Ravikumar’s 565 is a powerful read that opens up the dramatic story of how India brought together 565 princely states into one nation. It’s packed with knowledge, but written in a way that keeps you hooked rather than weighed down. You’ll find yourself underlining passages constantly—this is not a book to read without a pencil in hand. I was constanly yelping 'That happened?!'
One of the most gripping sections is the account of Hyderabad’s integration. The tension between the Nizam’s resistance and the Indian government’s determination, culminating in “Operation Polo,” feels almost cinematic. That chapter alone shows how high the stakes were and why this history matters.
This book is both informative and compelling, making history feel urgent and alive. Packed with knowledge and fun riddles making it an excellent read. When l finished the book l felt as if i had completed a huge insanely huge history class.
One of the most gripping sections is the account of Hyderabad’s integration. The tension between the Nizam’s resistance and the Indian government’s determination, culminating in “Operation Polo,” feels almost cinematic. That chapter alone shows how high the stakes were and why this history matters.
This book is both informative and compelling, making history feel urgent and alive. Packed with knowledge and fun riddles making it an excellent read. When l finished the book l felt as if i had completed a huge insanely huge history class.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2024
Big picture:
3 June 1947 – Viceroy announces that India would finally become independent and the saga for unification of 565 princely states begins
The book describes the story of completing the jigsaw puzzle against all odds leading to creation of India
India will always be indebted to Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon to make it happen, without their contribution this wasn’t possible
Review:
The book is a non-fiction “thriller” with a narrative style that kept one completely hooked, found it very difficult to put the book down
Found the section “did it really happen” unique – most often people skip bibliography but this section after every chapter made one notice and acknowledge the source
A must read for all
3 June 1947 – Viceroy announces that India would finally become independent and the saga for unification of 565 princely states begins
The book describes the story of completing the jigsaw puzzle against all odds leading to creation of India
India will always be indebted to Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon to make it happen, without their contribution this wasn’t possible
Review:
The book is a non-fiction “thriller” with a narrative style that kept one completely hooked, found it very difficult to put the book down
Found the section “did it really happen” unique – most often people skip bibliography but this section after every chapter made one notice and acknowledge the source
A must read for all
October 7, 2025
must read to see the greatness of our ex home minister
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews