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The Turbulent Years: 1980–1996
The Turbulent Years opens in the 1980s. Sanjay Gandhi is dead under unexpected, tragic circumstances; not many years later, Indira Gandhi is assassinated; Rajiv Gandhi, ‘the reluctant politician’, abruptly becomes India’s Prime Minister.Pranab Mukherjee was witness to (and, sometimes, a participant in) the momentous events of the 1980s and the 1990s, a period that was indisputably the most turbulent in India’s post-Independence history. An insider, he sheds new light on every major political occurrence of the time—from Rajiv Gandhi’s ascendance as India’s Prime Minister to the emergence of P.V. Narasimha Rao as the leader of a nation; from Operation Blue Star to the Babri Masjid fiasco.Equally, Mukherjee is candid about each of the professional crises that marked this period of his career—the rumours that he wanted to elbow aside Rajiv Gandhi for the top post; the possible reasons for his ouster from Rajiv’s Cabinet and, later, the party; and the allegation that he aided and abetted the Left by not imposing President’s rule in West Bengal and Tripura in the late 1980s.The second volume of Mukherjee’s autobiography is not only an honest account of his years in power (and in the wilderness), but also a cogent analysis of the political and social turning points of a key period in the evolution of modern India.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2016
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277 people want to read
About the author
Pranab Mukherjee
12 books22 followersPranab Mukherjee is an Indian politician who was the 13th President of India. A man of unparalleled experience in governance, he has the rare distinction of having served at different times as Foreign, Defence, Commerce and Finance Minister. He was elected to the Upper House of the Parliament (Rajya Sabha) five times from 1969 and twice to the Lower House of the Parliament (Lok Sabha) from 2004. He was a member of the Congress Working Committee, the highest policy making body of the Party for a period of 23 years. A powerful orator and scholar, Shri Mukherjee’s intellectual and political prowess as well as remarkable knowledge of international relations, financial affairs and parliamentary process are widely admired. He has been acclaimed for his role as a consensus builder on difficult national issues through his ability to forge unity amongst the diverse political parties that form part of India’s vibrant multi-party democracy.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 4, 2016
The book has been used primarily as a medium for clarifying author's point of view and explanation of what and why he did what he did. He is candid and frank without being vituperative. Despite his differences with persons like Rajiv Gandhi, he showers praises on him. He lauds Rajiv as a "charismatic leader and full of new ideas". His erudition comes through quite eloquently. Quoting from Gurudev, he salutes even his adversaries :"In our suspicious minds, we disbelieve you; In our jealousy, we abused you; and In our anger, we killed you; Now, the mortal being has become immortal and we salute you".
Pranab Mukherjee admits his mistakes :"I could have avoided the RSC fiasco. I should have had the wisdom to realise that I was not a mass leader". He even concedes his shortcomings: "I do not know how to use computers". This are indeed signs of his greatness.
All in all an interesting read that reveals a lot about those "turbulent" times and the persona of Pranab Mukherjee
Pranab Mukherjee admits his mistakes :"I could have avoided the RSC fiasco. I should have had the wisdom to realise that I was not a mass leader". He even concedes his shortcomings: "I do not know how to use computers". This are indeed signs of his greatness.
All in all an interesting read that reveals a lot about those "turbulent" times and the persona of Pranab Mukherjee
September 1, 2025
#Binge Reviewing my previous Reads #Indian Government and Politics
The Turbulent Years: 1980–1996 by Pranab Mukherjee is less a memoir in the emotional sense and more a statesman’s logbook, meticulously charting India’s political landscape during one and a half decades of transformation, upheaval, and hard choices.
Mukherjee, with his trademark precision, walks the reader through the Congress Party’s shifting fortunes, the return of Indira Gandhi, her assassination, the rise of Rajiv Gandhi, the tumultuous coalition politics that followed, and the gradual reshaping of India’s governance in an increasingly globalized world.
What strikes you first is the honesty in tone—not sensational, not self-indulgent, but deeply factual, sometimes to the point of being clinical. And yet, behind the careful words, you sense the weight of someone who was not a commentator but a participant, someone who sat in the war rooms, drafted the policies, and witnessed firsthand the struggles of keeping a vast, diverse democracy together. He doesn’t shy away from detailing missteps, nor does he gloss over the challenges of governance in a period that saw both dramatic hope and sobering setbacks.
The book is peppered with anecdotes that reveal not just the mechanics of politics but also the personalities that shaped it. Indira Gandhi comes alive as both formidable and vulnerable; Rajiv Gandhi is shown as an earnest modernizer battling the inertia of an entrenched system. Mukherjee’s own role—as troubleshooter, minister, and party strategist—appears in measured glimpses, always presented with restraint.
What makes The Turbulent Years compelling is how it doubles as a political education. For readers unfamiliar with the nuts and bolts of Indian politics during the 80s and early 90s, this book provides clarity on events that were otherwise shrouded in either hero-worship or vilification. The narrative is one of balance—never overly dramatic, never dismissive, but always grounded in the reality of democratic governance.
This isn’t a book that rushes or dazzles; it builds slowly, much like Mukherjee himself—deliberate, thoughtful, occasionally heavy. But if you’re someone who wants to understand the architecture of Indian politics during one of its most defining phases, it’s invaluable. It captures the turbulence of a nation and a party navigating storms without losing sight of the broader arc of continuity.
Reading it feels like sitting in the study of a seasoned professor of politics—every detail exact, every judgement weighed, every memory refracted through the lens of statecraft. Not flamboyant, but deeply instructive.
A book to return to if you want to remember how India’s democracy endured its growing pains and kept moving forward.
The Turbulent Years: 1980–1996 by Pranab Mukherjee is less a memoir in the emotional sense and more a statesman’s logbook, meticulously charting India’s political landscape during one and a half decades of transformation, upheaval, and hard choices.
Mukherjee, with his trademark precision, walks the reader through the Congress Party’s shifting fortunes, the return of Indira Gandhi, her assassination, the rise of Rajiv Gandhi, the tumultuous coalition politics that followed, and the gradual reshaping of India’s governance in an increasingly globalized world.
What strikes you first is the honesty in tone—not sensational, not self-indulgent, but deeply factual, sometimes to the point of being clinical. And yet, behind the careful words, you sense the weight of someone who was not a commentator but a participant, someone who sat in the war rooms, drafted the policies, and witnessed firsthand the struggles of keeping a vast, diverse democracy together. He doesn’t shy away from detailing missteps, nor does he gloss over the challenges of governance in a period that saw both dramatic hope and sobering setbacks.
The book is peppered with anecdotes that reveal not just the mechanics of politics but also the personalities that shaped it. Indira Gandhi comes alive as both formidable and vulnerable; Rajiv Gandhi is shown as an earnest modernizer battling the inertia of an entrenched system. Mukherjee’s own role—as troubleshooter, minister, and party strategist—appears in measured glimpses, always presented with restraint.
What makes The Turbulent Years compelling is how it doubles as a political education. For readers unfamiliar with the nuts and bolts of Indian politics during the 80s and early 90s, this book provides clarity on events that were otherwise shrouded in either hero-worship or vilification. The narrative is one of balance—never overly dramatic, never dismissive, but always grounded in the reality of democratic governance.
This isn’t a book that rushes or dazzles; it builds slowly, much like Mukherjee himself—deliberate, thoughtful, occasionally heavy. But if you’re someone who wants to understand the architecture of Indian politics during one of its most defining phases, it’s invaluable. It captures the turbulence of a nation and a party navigating storms without losing sight of the broader arc of continuity.
Reading it feels like sitting in the study of a seasoned professor of politics—every detail exact, every judgement weighed, every memory refracted through the lens of statecraft. Not flamboyant, but deeply instructive.
A book to return to if you want to remember how India’s democracy endured its growing pains and kept moving forward.
June 6, 2020
The book, an insider’s view to the complexities of the Government during the years of 1980-1996 gives us an insight into the various hurdles faced and overcome. The book opens with the tragic death of Sanjay Gandhi and the subsequent rule of his mother Indira Gandhi following the years of the infamous emergency. He especially harps on the different cabinets the Government saw, from the shaky coalition of the Rajiv Gandhi regime to the firm one by P.V. Narasimha Rao. The book also sheds light on his turbulent years, when he was ousted from the Congress leading him to form a separate party only for it to fail a few years later. Pranab Mukherjee’s tryst with the Congress family was for a long time and it is his unique decisions that ultimately led to few success stories of the Congress during that time. Furthermore, his rule as the Foreign minister yielded golden fruits as India became a signatory to the WTO post the Uruguay round of Negotiations in 1995. The years post liberalisation of the economy are also a proof the India was not one to step back in the global economic sector.
The book gives us an insight to the difficult times faced by the Government out of which India rose as a shining democracy, mature and unscathed. The words are lucid and flow freely, making it an easy read.
I’d definitely recommend this to any political enthusiasts.
The book gives us an insight to the difficult times faced by the Government out of which India rose as a shining democracy, mature and unscathed. The words are lucid and flow freely, making it an easy read.
I’d definitely recommend this to any political enthusiasts.
August 31, 2018
It is a great book by Former President of India: Shri Pranab Mukherjee. Through this book, Pranab Mukherjee greatly explains his professional turmoils as well as the national turbulence prevalent in 1980's and 1990's.The author is very candid on his opinion on Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narsimha Rao and also explains their contribution as well as their reason of failure.
July 25, 2018
Nicely explained
Nicely explained the history from 1980_ 1996, some of and buts at a critical point of discussion would have changed the present state or conditions of India! Should be taught in the school this as history instead of Mughal and Morys history
Nicely explained the history from 1980_ 1996, some of and buts at a critical point of discussion would have changed the present state or conditions of India! Should be taught in the school this as history instead of Mughal and Morys history
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May 16, 2025Finished reading #TheTurbulentYears by #PranabMukherjee.
Book is too concise and detail-less to know more about the most crucial phase of independent India.
Probably these were the years when "Pranab da" was least important in politics, only to emerge into the mammoth he became.
Book is too concise and detail-less to know more about the most crucial phase of independent India.
Probably these were the years when "Pranab da" was least important in politics, only to emerge into the mammoth he became.
April 15, 2018
Much better than the first volume. More transparent and explosive with certainly hitherto not known revelations.
February 1, 2019
It probably has more of the Ex Prez's turbulence.Gives an insight view into the Capital's Politics !!
November 20, 2020
More of a clarification than a memoir
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June 25, 2021An average book
November 10, 2021
The book recounts the political events during the period 1980-1996 from the perspective of the author and his own role as a politician and minister during the period.
March 2, 2023
A star more for the instances in the book where the author accepted the flaws honestly.
February 18, 2017
Good and honest presentation
Pranab DA has lot of insight into party and decision made in those turbulent years he has safely. Chosen not to talk about the controversial part, of course it his decision but I would have liked him to show real courage I. Talking some of the truth about policy or politics of those years. I see Pranab DA as honest and trouble shooter of congress party but he has never shown the courage to give it back to some of those irresponsible leaders perhaps that's coz Pranab da never got h self elected to Loksabha
Pranab DA has lot of insight into party and decision made in those turbulent years he has safely. Chosen not to talk about the controversial part, of course it his decision but I would have liked him to show real courage I. Talking some of the truth about policy or politics of those years. I see Pranab DA as honest and trouble shooter of congress party but he has never shown the courage to give it back to some of those irresponsible leaders perhaps that's coz Pranab da never got h self elected to Loksabha
November 22, 2016
Content wise the book is good. Much of the story lines, people already know however what is new is the behind the door discussions. Stories of how Pranab split his party away from Congress and how he was considered a threat of Rajiv Gandhi which eventually led to his ouster from the party. Buildup is good. Infact the best parts of the backroom drama are probably the negotiations and the time of Pranab Mukherjee at Planning Commission. His changing of the special status formula for receiving special grants might go down in history.
However the book at places become boring. It should just be considered a read. The writing lacks depth even if you compare with some other memoirs. Considering he has described the Sikh Riots of 1984, Assam Accord, Ascent of Rajiv Gandhi , the era of turbulence - VP Singh & Chandrashekhar, Mandal Commison, Voting age, Rao government, WTO , GLobalisation..The content was great but the writing could not make much use of the depth of the topics and the book ended up being journal entries.
However the book at places become boring. It should just be considered a read. The writing lacks depth even if you compare with some other memoirs. Considering he has described the Sikh Riots of 1984, Assam Accord, Ascent of Rajiv Gandhi , the era of turbulence - VP Singh & Chandrashekhar, Mandal Commison, Voting age, Rao government, WTO , GLobalisation..The content was great but the writing could not make much use of the depth of the topics and the book ended up being journal entries.
June 2, 2016
Very nice account of the things that took place in the political scenario between 1980-1996. The book gives you an insight of the turbulent times the author, too, went through - From almost being nominated as interim Prime Minister to being suspended from the party and gaining a spot back into the cabinet.
It is always nice to read such memoirs which gives you the first hand information about the Indian polity and its working. Gives you a lot of inspiration as to how these legends handle difficult and sentimental situations. Must read for a person who is interested in politics - to know the Indian political history.
I feel there are certain things which, though are not completely unimportant, yet have no relevance today or are of use to the reader, viz, the decisions taken by the planning commission, etc.
It is always nice to read such memoirs which gives you the first hand information about the Indian polity and its working. Gives you a lot of inspiration as to how these legends handle difficult and sentimental situations. Must read for a person who is interested in politics - to know the Indian political history.
I feel there are certain things which, though are not completely unimportant, yet have no relevance today or are of use to the reader, viz, the decisions taken by the planning commission, etc.
April 3, 2020
Pranab Mukherjee was one person who should have been the Prime Minister of the nation. However party politics kept him away from the chair. This book captures the turbulent years, especially after the death of Indira Gandhi. This is the second part of the three part series written by the former President of India.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews