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India After 1947: Reflections & Recollections
Seventy-five years after Independence, India faces stark questions. Some of the most pressing ones relate to jobs and the cost of living. But questions about the state of our democracy are equally critical, if not more so. When India won independence and prepared to become the world’s largest democracy, the people, through their leaders and elected representatives, looked to create a nation built on the ideals of equality, liberty, and fraternity. That this seemed a successful exercise—in a densely populated country with high levels of illiteracy and poverty, a bewildering variety of religions, castes, and languages, and a history of internal conflict—surprised many and gave hope to many more. However, over the years, these ideals have repeatedly come under attack.
In the book, the author reflects on key issues that India will need to deal with. He asks if India’s future will be dictated by the resentful victimhood that seems to grip the champions of Hindu nationalism in a country where Hindus dominate the economy, the polity, the media, the culture, and everything else. Or will calm, thoughtful, self-critical yet confident young Indians—Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and others—prevail and continue to build a country that treats everyone as equal? He addresses debates about the idea, image, and personality of Ram throughout India’s life and history; analyses the fallout of Partition and the concept of Akhand Bharat; and delves into what Mahatma Gandhi stood for and against—all of them issues that are contested in today’s India. In addition to these reflections, the author looks back at the history of the nation from 1947 onwards and examines what we, the people of India, should do to remain a viable and vibrant democracy that ensures that none of its citizens are left behind or feel oppressed, unwelcome, or unsafe.
A timely study of the state of the nation from one of our foremost thinkers, India After 1947 is an essential read that reminds us of who we are as a nation and what we should aim to be.
In the book, the author reflects on key issues that India will need to deal with. He asks if India’s future will be dictated by the resentful victimhood that seems to grip the champions of Hindu nationalism in a country where Hindus dominate the economy, the polity, the media, the culture, and everything else. Or will calm, thoughtful, self-critical yet confident young Indians—Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and others—prevail and continue to build a country that treats everyone as equal? He addresses debates about the idea, image, and personality of Ram throughout India’s life and history; analyses the fallout of Partition and the concept of Akhand Bharat; and delves into what Mahatma Gandhi stood for and against—all of them issues that are contested in today’s India. In addition to these reflections, the author looks back at the history of the nation from 1947 onwards and examines what we, the people of India, should do to remain a viable and vibrant democracy that ensures that none of its citizens are left behind or feel oppressed, unwelcome, or unsafe.
A timely study of the state of the nation from one of our foremost thinkers, India After 1947 is an essential read that reminds us of who we are as a nation and what we should aim to be.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2022
7 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Rajmohan Gandhi
44 books90 followersRajmohan Gandhi (born 1935)is a biographer and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and a research professor at the Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
Until end-December 2012 he taught political science and history at the University of Illinois and divided his time between India and the United States.
Until end-December 2012 he taught political science and history at the University of Illinois and divided his time between India and the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 13, 2022
Rajmohan Gandhi's love for his nation and his grandfather's ideals make him turn to the written word once again to reiterate his vision for an inclusive nation of individuals who "love their neighbours". The content in the book is not new for a reader who follows the author but in a society wherein lies are sold as panacea, Rajmohan Gandhi's truths need to be read diligently.
August 17, 2022
Since India has been celebrating its 75th anniversary of independence, many Europeans who had assumed that democracy would not survive that long in India have indeed been disappointed. But without being pessimistic, the celebration is an occasion to take a serious look at the country's present and future, as well as at some of the issues that require public attention. Consequently, intellectuals like Rajmohan Gandhi must respond with reasonable and valid arguments. And this is precisely the theme of "India after 1947".
The book is a collection of essays in which Rajmohan Gandhi looks back at India's seventy-five-year journey through his own eyes. He examines the reasons for partition and makes some very insightful assertions. Mahatma Gandhi is given a lot of space in the book, and who else but him? Rajmohan Gandhi recounts his encounters with many personalities he met during these years, such as Nehru, Patel, Kriplani, Shastri, Indira, Desai, VP Singh, Devilal, Goenka, and others.
The core element of the book is an analysis of the key issues facing India today and where it goes from here. This book sheds light on the communal hatred erupting in the country. Rajmohan Gandhi provides a better understanding of the events taking place. Through this book, he wants to express his concern about such incidents and expose the deep animosity between communities.
As we celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Independence Day, we should be optimistic about the future while being aware of the challenges we face or will face, and this book will help you do that.
The book is a striking example of Rajmohan Gandhi's intellectual prowess. While reading it, I came across many interesting arguments that helped me form my own opinion on the relevant issues. I have read Rajmohan Gandhi's earlier works, and I am glad I read this one as well.
If you are looking for a good read for Independence Day, treat yourself to this book and you will not regret it.
The book is a collection of essays in which Rajmohan Gandhi looks back at India's seventy-five-year journey through his own eyes. He examines the reasons for partition and makes some very insightful assertions. Mahatma Gandhi is given a lot of space in the book, and who else but him? Rajmohan Gandhi recounts his encounters with many personalities he met during these years, such as Nehru, Patel, Kriplani, Shastri, Indira, Desai, VP Singh, Devilal, Goenka, and others.
The core element of the book is an analysis of the key issues facing India today and where it goes from here. This book sheds light on the communal hatred erupting in the country. Rajmohan Gandhi provides a better understanding of the events taking place. Through this book, he wants to express his concern about such incidents and expose the deep animosity between communities.
As we celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Independence Day, we should be optimistic about the future while being aware of the challenges we face or will face, and this book will help you do that.
The book is a striking example of Rajmohan Gandhi's intellectual prowess. While reading it, I came across many interesting arguments that helped me form my own opinion on the relevant issues. I have read Rajmohan Gandhi's earlier works, and I am glad I read this one as well.
If you are looking for a good read for Independence Day, treat yourself to this book and you will not regret it.
December 31, 2023
India After 1947: Reflections & Recollections is a book by political scientist and historian Rajmohan Gandhi, focusing on India's history from 1947 to present. The book explores five themes: militarizing Rama's image, seeking revenge for Partition, the dream of Akhanda Bharat, Indian polity trajectory, and Gandhi's relevance. It highlights the personalities and leadership styles of key figures who shaped India's post-independence history, addressing issues like poverty, caste discrimination, and religious intolerance. The book also sheds light on communal hatred and questions whether resentful victimhood will dictate India's future. The author's love for his nation and grandfather's ideals make it a valuable and engaging read for anyone interested in the past and politics of India.
September 23, 2022
Lovely little gem that everyone ought to read. Rajmohan Gandhi is such a gift. People like him make me wonder about folks born before the 1960s and how they feel (Rajmohan Gandhi was born in 1935). They've seen India emerge from destitution and bondage and slowly but surely build itself up to the image it desired at freedom.
Anyone born after that and up to the 1990s has only seen a mix of cynicism, greed, frustration, and hunger. Anyone born after the 1990s has seen more of the same plus lots of hate in the pursuit of an ever-shrinking pie!
Lots of personal reflection here on himself, the leaders he has worked with, and of course Gandhi.
Anyone born after that and up to the 1990s has only seen a mix of cynicism, greed, frustration, and hunger. Anyone born after the 1990s has seen more of the same plus lots of hate in the pursuit of an ever-shrinking pie!
Lots of personal reflection here on himself, the leaders he has worked with, and of course Gandhi.
September 6, 2022
A book every Indian should read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews