How India Lost Her Freedom

by Sunderlal

A freedom fighter's account of India's struggle for independence.

How the British came to India, slowly penetrated the sub-continent and established an empire is a story recorded by many historians but not fully told...

The early British historians tried to play down the role of their countrymen in subjugating the native kingdoms in India by all means. It was left to a few diligent historians to carry out painstaking research and unravel the facts. Pandit Sunderlal, who wrote this sensational book originally in Hindi in 1929, vigorously exposed the British plan to enlarge their sphere of influence in India slowly and steadily through a number of dubious methods. Apart from revealing the state of affairs between the Indian native kingdoms and the East India Company, How India Lost Her Freedom provides a fine account of what India was prior to the advent of the British. The book focuses on the crucial facts and events that led to the establishment of British rule over India.

Genres: History

536 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2018

Reviews

[Abigail K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a brilliant counter to the 60s British imperialist narrative, however the introduction leaves something to be desired in backing up some of the claims, being not so much a history as an unashamedly political text. The history covered in the later chapters itself is detailed, though again covers the British side of the narrative more heavily as this is the more documented - it would have been interesting to see more of the interactions between the Emperor and subahdars etc. Even if the sources are less primary. It is well worth reading as a product of its time though worth noting that many of the points it "brings to light" are now covered in more recent and "history focused" works.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

India used to be free. And for a few centuries it used to reside in the Americas for some reason. Probably before that it roamed the red earth of Africa. Only now ”she” lost her freedom, and it's stuck in a very sh***y place, where people defecate in the same streets where they spit. A very sad story. Free India!

[Durgesh Manglav · Rating 4 out of 5]

good narration....

[Anil Dhingra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book er by a respected Gandhian, initially in 1929. Was banned by the British. The final current form was written in 1966 and has been translated into 40 languages.
The author starts with details of how much advanced India was in relation to Britain in terms of governance, prosperity and even education.
He gives details of various invaders who came and dispels the myth that Muslim rulers suppressed their Hindu citizens.
All this changed with the arrival of the merchant's of England esp when East India company landed.
Gradually by bribes, instigating interpersonal feuds the merchant's started establishing trading posts and inciting wars among small cities and later the bigger kingdoms.
In a meticulous way, with interesting factual details the author gives us great insights into the Indian history, it's rulers, the wars, the great personalities.
He also details how corrupt the English governors were, ruthless in exploiting the trust reposed in them.
A must read.

[Shailendra Modi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was banned by the British when it came out in 1929 for obvious reasons. It exposes the dirty tricks used by the East India Company to get India. To make it believable, the author mostly quotes from the contemporary records authored by the British. It starts of with the peace and amicable atmosphere between the Hindus and Muslims during the Muslim Rule and goes on to expose the underhanded tricks used by the men of the country who gave the word 'Gentleman'. The book is relevant today for the atmosphere in India. Must read for every Indian.