5 must-read books on Indian History...

2. Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins - See more at: http://www.thebetterindia.com/3962/10-must-read-books-on-indian-history/#sthash.P2V9UsUq.dpuf

2. Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins - See more at: http://www.thebetterindia.com/3962/10-must-read-books-on-indian-history/#sthash.P2V9UsUq.dpuf

2. Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins - See more at: http://www.thebetterindia.com/3962/10-must-read-books-on-indian-history/#sthash.P2V9UsUq.dpuf

2. Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins - See more at: http://www.thebetterindia.com/3962/10-must-read-books-on-indian-history/#sthash.P2V9UsUq.dpuf

Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins

 

2. Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins - See more at: http://www.thebetterindia.com/3962/10-must-read-books-on-indian-history/#sthash.P2V9UsUq.dpuf

his book primarily focuses on India’s independence movement during 1946 and 1948. The series of events that unfold during this period are worthy of this book being classified as a historical one. It is extensively researched, gives incredible details that you never knew (for instance, do you know who actually drew the dividing line between the two nations and on what basis?) and is a highly recommended book on India’s independence and partition. The book also includes interviews with Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of British India. - See more at: http://www.thebetterindia.com/3962/10-must-read-books-on-indian-history/#sthash.P2V9UsUq.dpuf

his book primarily focuses on India’s independence movement during 1946 and 1948. The series of events that unfold during this period are worthy of this book being classified as a historical one. It is extensively researched, gives incredible details that you never knew (for instance, do you know who actually drew the dividing line between the two nations and on what basis?) and is a highly recommended book on India’s independence and partition. The book also includes interviews with Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of British India. - See more at: http://www.thebetterindia.com/3962/10-must-read-books-on-indian-history/#sthash.P2V9UsUq.dpuf

his book primarily focuses on India’s independence movement during 1946 and 1948. The series of events that unfold during this period are worthy of this book being classified as a historical one. It is extensively researched, gives incredible details that you never knew (for instance, do you know who actually drew the dividing line between the two nations and on what basis?) and is a highly recommended book on India’s independence and partition. The book also includes interviews with Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of British India. - See more at: http://www.thebetterindia.com/3962/10-must-read-books-on-indian-history/#sthash.P2V9UsUq.dpuf

his book primarily focuses on India’s independence movement during 1946 and 1948. The series of events that unfold during this period are worthy of this book being classified as a historical one. It is extensively researched, gives incredible details that you never knew (for instance, do you know who actually drew the dividing line between the two nations and on what basis?) and is a highly recommended book on India’s independence and partition. The book also includes interviews with Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of British India. - See more at: http://www.thebetterindia.com/3962/10-must-read-books-on-indian-history/#sthash.P2V9UsUq.dpufkhfkldh

This book primarily focuses on India’s independence movement during 1946 and 1948. The series of events that unfold during this period are worthy of this book being classified as a historical one. It is extensively researched, gives incredible details that you never knew (for instance, do you know who actually drew the dividing line between the two nations and on what basis?) and is a highly recommended book on India’s independence and partition. The book also includes interviews with Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of British India.

The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen

his book primarily focuses on India’s independence movement during 1946 and 1948. The series of events that unfold during this period are worthy of this book being classified as a historical one. It is extensively researched, gives incredible details that you never knew (for instance, do you know who actually drew the dividing line between the two nations and on what basis?) and is a highly recommended book on India’s independence and partition. The book also includes interviews with Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of British India. - See more at: http://www.thebetterindia.com/3962/10-must-read-books-on-indian-history/#sthash.P2V9UsUq.dpuf

his book primarily focuses on India’s independence movement during 1946 and 1948. The series of events that unfold during this period are worthy of this book being classified as a historical one. It is extensively researched, gives incredible details that you never knew (for instance, do you know who actually drew the dividing line between the two nations and on what basis?) and is a highly recommended book on India’s independence and partition. The book also includes interviews with Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of British India. - See more at: http://www.thebetterindia.com/3962/10-must-read-books-on-indian-history/#sthash.P2V9UsUq.dpuf

 

 Written by the Nobel Prize winning economist Amartya Sen, this book is essentially a series of poignant essays narrating India’s history and how that history has influenced and shaped its cultural identity. Sen talks about how India has had a long history of public debate (in all spheres of life) and how heterodoxy was prevalent in Indian society centuries ago.  This vibrant past is something that Sen believes we all should know about – considering that it can have a deep impact on the way we embrace our future.

 India after Gandhi: The History of the World’s Largest Democracy by Ramachandra Guha

 

 Ramachandra Guha is perhaps one of India’s best historians currently. This book of his talks about India’s history after it gained independence from the British. This is the perfect book for you to understand the evolution of Modern India. Guha, a former professor and now historian, does an awe-inspiring job of making sense of India’s chaotic and eventful history since independence – the partition, Nehru’s socialist policies, Rajiv Gandhi’s brief but impactful career, the rise of religion and caste-based politics – almost everything you want to know is there in this 900-page book. 

Discovery of India by Jawaharlal Nehru

 

Written by India’s first prime minister when he was in prison (1942-1946), this book traces India’s history starting from the Indus Valley Civilization. It gives a detailed account of the period ranging from the coming of the Aryans to the establishment of the British Empire. A recommended read to get a snapshot of India’s incredibly long past. This book was also produced as an award-winning television series by Shyam Benegal. 

The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty: Delhi, 1857 by William Dalrymple 

William is an award winning historian and travel writer. The Last Mughal talks about a culturally diverse and rich soceity during the rule of Bahadur shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor. In 1857, the first war against the British (known popularly as the Sepoy Mutinee) marked the end of the Mughal rule. William lists the manner in which these events unfolded and the impact it had on the country – both politically and culturally. His writing style and flair for capturing insights makes this book a must-read.