As India gears up to celebrate its 75th Republic Day, it’s time to reflect on the rich history of our culturally-diverse nation. What better way to do so than by walking down the memory lane into the pages of literature that serve as windows into its past, present, and future.
Here’s a list of best books on Indian history that offer a generous glimpse into the millions of memories, experiences, and stories that promise a good Republic Day reading. I’ve read all these, and some more than once and I can promise you that after reading these titles, you will not only be intellectually empowered on the subject of Indian history but also feel a surge of patriotic love for our country.
Let’s dive in!
1947-1957, India: The Birth of a Republic
1947-1957, The Birth of a Republic explores the crucial first decade after India’s independence, delving into the complex ideas and events that shaped the new republic. It discusses the transfer of power, the framing of the Constitution, the formation of the governance machinery, and the clash of ideas and ideologies among parties and personalities.
Why Bharat Matters
India, known as Bharat, faces a challenging and unpredictable world marked by various global impacts. Despite this, India aims to maintain its focus on becoming a leading power, promoting well-being globally, and embracing new responsibilities and opportunities. S. Jaishankar emphasizes the importance of India’s rising amidst unpredictability and the significance of foreign policy in the daily lives of citizens in a globalized world.
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Lahore
The book highlights the months preceding India’s independence, with a focus on the negotiations between Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, and British Viceroy Dickie Mountbatten in Delhi, as well as the experiences of Sepoy Malik in Lahore after returning from the Great War. It portrays the impact of divide-and-rule tactics, the testing of love, friendships, and familial bonds, and the political maneuvers that led to India’s freedom and the partition.
Nationalism
This book offers deep insights into the philosophical and sociopolitical dimensions of this complex subject, guiding you through critical thinking, cultural identity, and patriotism. Tagore’s collection of essays and lectures critically examines nationalism in the context of India’s struggle for independence, providing a thought-provoking reevaluation of our understanding of nationalism.
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The Indian Struggle
The great Indian Struggle, 1920–1942 is a two-part book by the Indian nationalist leader Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose that covers the 1920–1942 history of the Indian independence movement to end British imperial rule over India. Banned in India by the British colonial government, The Indian Struggle was published in the country only in 1948 after India became independent.
The Country Without a Post Office
A haunting and powerful volume that established Agha Shahid Ali as a significant voice in English literature. It contains stunning poems characterized by formal precision, musicality, and a deep immersion in history, myth, and politics, all conveying the poet’s profound sense of longing. The overall theme revolves around the poet’s evocation of the tragedy of his birthplace amidst rain, fire, and ruin.
Hymns in Blood
In 1947, in the village of Chakri near Rawalpindi, Baba Bhana, a village elder, is concerned about the future of his foster daughter, Naseem, amidst preparations for Lohri. However, their lives come to a standstill when news of India’s potential partition reaches the village. Amid communal violence, the family is forced to leave their village, beginning a perilous journey and accepting the impending change in their lives.
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The Great Indian Novel
Shashi Tharoor has written a remarkable novel that is ambitious, daring, and very funny. The two main elements of his impressive work are the Indian national epic, the Mahabharata, and India’s fight for independence from Great Britain in the 20th century.
The Lost Victory
The narrative revolves around Buta Singh, a cunning British official, and his ambitious son, Sher Singh, who rebels against the foreign rule. The plot unfolds around a brutal murder that ignites conflicts within the family, set against the backdrop of a divided India grappling with religious tensions and internal discord.
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The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire
The East India Company defeated the Mughal emperor in 1765 and established a government led by English traders. This marked the transformation of the company into a colonial power, ruling most of India for the next 47 years from London. Dalrymple’s latest novel captures detailed accounts of events for almost 150 years and spectacularly at that!
Which is your favorite book on Indian history?
