1947 – 1957 India: Making of a Republic
Summary
1947 – 1957 India deals is a behind-the-scenes account of the first decade after India’s independence which was probably the most crucial in the nation’s history. Opening a window to this period, this book weaves a story out of the complex ideas and events that have largely remained beneath the surface of public discourse.
Chandrachur Ghose’s 1947-1957 India, takes you on a ride down the memory lane into the early years after India’s independence. From the political negotiations for independence to the challenges of partition and the birth of the republic, Ghose unveils the behind-the-scenes stories that shaped modern India.
The first decade after India’s independence, 1947-1957, was probably the most crucial in the nation’s history. Opening a window to this period, this book weaves a story out of the complex ideas and events that have largely remained beneath the surface of public discourse.
It talks about the transfer of power, the framing of the Constitution and the formation of the governance machinery; the clash of ideas and ideologies among parties and personalities; the beginning of the disintegration of the Congress and the consolidation of political forces in the opposition; Nehru’s grappling with existential problems at home and his quest for global peace; the interplay between democratic ideals and ruthless power play-all these factors impinged on each other and shaped the new republic in its formative decade.
The book explores the political maneuvering and challenges faced by leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, and Azad during this tumultuous period. Ghose talks at length about the integration of princely states, shedding light on Patel’s strategic moves and the impact of the Kashmir issue on India-Pakistan relations.
With a keen eye for detail, Ghose delves into the human toll of Partition, critiques the leadership during communal violence, and navigates India’s diplomatic stance in the Cold War era. The book also highlights the ideological tensions within Congress, especially between Nehru and Patel, and how it affected the destiny of the newly-formed Republic. The narrative cleverly weaves together diverse perspectives, making the history accessible to both casual readers and scholars.
Ghose combines rigorous scholarship with lucid writing, offering an authoritative yet readable chronicle of India’s formative decade. Providing a compelling insight into India’s trials, tribulations, and triumphs during its early years of independence, this book proves to be a real page-turner for history fanatics as well as newbies exploring the genre.
About the Author
Chandrachur Ghose is a writer on economics, environment, history and politics. He has had a multi-disciplinary career spanning over two decades, having worked with one of the most well-known environmental organizations in India, an academic institute of global excellence and an economic research firm that is a trusted brand among Indian businesses. Ghose has worked on issues as varied as air pollution, food safety, agriculture, renewable energy, mining, infrastructure development, employment, consumption expenditure, and the development trajectories of India’s states.
Ghose, along with Anuj Dhar and other friends formed the pressure group Mission Netaji in 2005 to generate public awareness over the official secrecy on matters related to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Since then he has been instrumental in bringing thousands of Netaji-related classified documents into the public domain.
Ghose completed his BSc in Botany from Visva Bharati (Santiniketan) and MSc in Science and Technology for Sustainability from SPRU, University of Sussex. He also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Environment Management from IISWBM, Kolkata. Ghose is currently working on a biography of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He is based in Gurgaon.
P.S.: I received a review copy from the publisher, but the review remains unbiased.
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