India is a highly complicated country. It does not fit into any definition of the Nation-State. Many western thinkers had time to time predicted the failure of India. Yet, it not only survived, but also shows the world how to make democracy viable in a country of diversity in region, religion, language. In fact, the pluralism prevalent in India is its strong point as a nation.
This is a book that will make us understand the rationale behind the success of the Indian Democracy. Ramachandra Guah is an eminent historian and sociologist of contemporary times. This is a book of his lifetime research. This book unravels several mysteries of Indian post independence history. The book is written in tailor-made style of Guha. Though this is primary a history book, yet the way it narrates the story of India in such a way that it become a fiction. You can read the whole of this 600 plus pages book in one or two sitting.
The year after independence in India is little understood. No available book details the events as Guha tries here. The little understanding of period just after independence can be seen from the fact that lots of youth today do not understand the value of Gandhiji and Nehru. This book makes us feel the imperative of Nehru Gandhi era for the evolution of India. The India as we seen today would not have been possible without the attempt of Gandhiji and Nehru.
Ramachandra Guha has also given the due place of many unsung heroes of India. The story of North East extremism is written in a classic way.
This book is also important for students preparing for the UPSC civil services examination as the trend of questions has now been shifted from pre independence India to Post Independence India.