Read Runners discussion

This is a non fiction read. Freedom at Midnight is a book about the partition of India. The final moments of the Independence struggle and the aftermath.

Members are welcome to join me in the discussion.

I've been debating on whether to pick this up at all - sounds like a heavy read and also very Anglophilic. But, will defer to your thoughts, once you've made some opinions about this. :)

No it is very appealing in fact. The narration is captivating.


And I would not call it Anglophile. He is praising neither the Brits nor the Indians

Ok, then I might pick it up. Thanks!

This is one of my all time favourite books! I have read it long back while in college and remember enjoying every minute of it! :)

If I get the time, I might join in for a re-read of this one. :)

have read it a few years ago. Was good. But am anyway going to re-read.

I read o Jerusalem by same authors long back when I was in college.it was really captivating.I read this also long back but I have to re read to recapitulate to participate in discussion.

@Sumit, It's also however a very sad book. One of the ugliest parts of Indian history after all

@Others, welcome to join :) I am in chapter 6

Am in chapter 1.

Anyone who thought the British did a favour by ruling India should read this book

Read about the lives of some of the Maharajas. The extravagance of these people!!!

There seems to be a lot of details which have been omitted in our text books

Text books are usually glorified versions.

Or sanitized ones - where you focus on removing all traces of people you don't agree with.

Yes in text books they teach u barely anything. All Indian people come out as good. Now reading this book I am wondering How many people got away with things. Apparently more than one Maharaja wanted to separate from India

Oh, of course. Hyderabad and Kashmir are two of the more famous examples of folks who wanted separation.

And the ruling party of Telangana still thinks that the then Hyderabad was a separate nation and that it became a part of India only because of the conspiracy and police action of Indian government :P

Hajarath Prasad wrote: "And the ruling party of Telangana still thinks that the then Hyderabad was a separate nation and that it became a part of India only because of the conspiracy and police action of Indian government :P"

Well, to an extent, that bit is true. Historians agree that the people of Hyderabad probably wanted to side with India, but the Nizam surely didn't. In fact, he didn't even want to join Pakistan.

However, after tolerating him for many months, Sardar Patel orchestrated the march of the Indian Army into Hyderabad, leading to the annexure of the state.

Yes I didn't know the kings were given a lot of power and special privileges until 1973 When those powers were finally taken back by the govt

Polo is mentioned as the Indian national game ..... never knew this fact !

It is very well written. But Mountbatten comes off as a really nice guy who worked really hard to prevent blood shed. This part is unbelievable.

But the book also sheds light on many small incidents which never make it to text books. For example how the partition line was actually drawn.

I am with Gandhi, Jalianwala incident just over.
Unbelievable, the way British acted.

Ahtims wrote: "I am with Gandhi, Jalianwala incident just over.
Unbelievable, the way British acted."

One of many. Sad thing is the kings they replaced were worse

Not reached the king part yet. Unbelievably, I dont remember even a single thing from my previous read, which ofcourse was more than a decade ago.

Hulk : Yes it was true.. But the atrocities of Nizam and Razakar army were main reasons for the downfall. It's very surprising and disgusting to see the party campaign against India for minority votes.

Harry, true. Politicians are plain evil. The British might have left a legacy of divide and rule, but our so-called leaders have refined the tricks and techniques of that policy to perfection.

There was a Punjabi movie by the name of Shaheed Udham Singh, starring Raj Babbar and Juhi Chawla, which had a graphic scene on Jallianwala Bagh. It was bone-chilling to watch.

Oh. I know this story about Udham Singh.. Didn't know they made a movie about him.. Will check it out :)

Even the same Jalianwalabagh scene in Rang De Basanti was heartbreaking..

The book started out good. But here and there he makes ridiculous references like the "Aryan Invasion "

Even though I don't agree with many things that the author said, I still liked the book. Fiction blended with non fiction.

@Smitha, where have you reached? What do you think so far?

Am at 40%, the great Info Pal exodus is starting.
So far, I am loving the tiny details, which no history books reveal- like how they partitioned petty goods and even fought over those, and the foibles of all the great persona mentioned in the book.

How's it going, guys? I'm sorely tempted to pick this up after last week's trip to Amritsar and the Wagah border.

I finished, despite few of the things I didn't like about the book, it was a good read overall

Is anyone else reading this? It's pretty good

stuck at 40%.
When I reached Simla with Mountbaten, somehow lost the appetite to read further.
I will come back, once I finish my Persian safari via Rooftops of Tehran

I might start another non fiction soon. Sumit are u interested in Roses in December

Ahhh I want to read Roses in December. I have had that book for several years now but I just can't start it before December!! :( :(

I might start soon :)

Anirudh, no kindle edition available. :(

Can't start without that because I majorly read on the move.

Go ahead and start it.. I think I will read it at leisure only!! :)