India after Gandhi is an exasperating account of India’s social and political turmoil from mid-1940s to mid-2000s. Anecdotal proof is as important as empirical evidence in deciphering emotions locked and simmering over generations. The book serves that purpose of anecdotes and is fairly balanced in its broad strokes. It is carefully researched and certainly written with ardent passion. As an Indian citizen, the drama will make our heart swell with pride and head hang in shame in equal measure. The book is not People’s History of India on the lines of Howard Zinn’s great treatise because it relies mostly on government archives and officials, scholars & experts’ interpretation rather than that of the people. However, it serves the reader with adequate depth and introduction to sweeping changes in Indian social sphere since Independence. The book’s must-read quality lies in the fact that there is barely any comparable book on modern history of India and the authors success in building an engaging narrative. The author himself laments the utter lack of material on popular Indian figures and landmark moments in our history. For those Indians who care to understand themselves, this book is highly recommended. A must do item on your bucket list.
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