A History of Modern India

by Ishita Banerjee-Dube

This book provides an interpretive and comprehensive account of the history of India between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries, a crucial epoch characterized by colonialism, nationalism and the emergence of the independent Indian Union. It explores significant historiographical debates concerning the period while highlighting important new issues, especially those of gender, ecology, caste, and labour. The work combines an analysis of colonial and independent India in order to underscore ideologies, policies, and processes that shaped the colonial state and continue to mould the Indian nation.

Genres: History

519 pages, Paperback

First published October 27, 2014

About the author

Ishita Banerjee-Dube is Professor of History at the Centre for Asian and African Studies, El Colegio de Mexico, Mexico City, and a member of the National System of Researchers (SNI), Mexico, where she holds the highest rank. Her authored books include Divine Affairs (2001), Religion, Law, and Power (2007) and, in Spanish, Fronteras del Hinduismo (2007). Among her eight edited volumes are Unbecoming Modern (2005), Caste in History (2008) and Ancient to Modern (2009).

Reviews

[Nikita · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most updated book currently in the market about comprehensive review of modern south asian history. Enriched by subaltern analysis. Unlike Bandopadhyay's Plassey to Partition, this writer very succinctly mentions the major take-aways from individual historical works and hence doesn't feel overbearing or boring. The initial chapters on British ideologies, revenue policies, the crystallization of religious & caste identities are very refreshing. Info on Mahatma & Ambedkar is similarly enlightening. An absolute essential book.

[Siv · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great textbook for modern Indian history. It is incredibly comprehensive in a way that I was not expecting and did a really nice job capturing marginalized perspectives and reactions to different events. It also hits on some really amazing themes I had never considered. As someone who had almost no experience with this era of history, I thought that, on the very rare occasion, it spent too much time focusing on what I thought was a tangent to the "main story". I think the important thing that the author tries to emphasize over and over is that the main story is not the full story and it often leaves out large groups of people, throwing them to the wayside. Learning to appreciate this makes reading this even more meaningful.

4.25/5

[mansi · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a long time!
an interesting work, focuses on deeper themes of indian independence struggle. a very good combination with Shekhar bandhyopadhyay. greater focus on subaltern angles, along with newer perspectives. every decade deserves a book that examines the themes of our history in newer perspectives. for our generation, this one seems to be it.

[Amit Acharya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive read of modern Indian history, but sometimes too citation heavy.

[Sandeep Patil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. It provides precise analysis esp about subaltern currents of Indian history and its projections in today's India. Good for students as well as upsc aspirants.