The Making Of India: A Political History

Synopsis

Designed For Undergraduate And Graduate Courses On Indian History And Politics, This Text Provides A Sweeping Look At India From Pre-history To The Twenty-first Century. The Author Shows How The Complex Legacies Of Religious Identity And Traditional Culture, The Experience Of Imperialism, And The Country's Distinctive Path To Independence And Modernity Have Shaped, And Continue To Shape, India Today. He Richly Documents India's Kaleidoscopic Social And Cultural Landscape, Its Remarkable Emergence From Colonial Rule And Embrace Of Democracy, The Rise Of A Cohort Of Indian Entrepreneurs Building A Modern Economy, And The Burgeoning Diversity Of Indian Political Life Today, Both In New Delhi And In The States. Adding A Special Dimension Of Understanding, The Book Opens And Closes With Insightful Comparisons, First, Between The Traditional Civilizations Of India And China, And Finally, Between Modern India And China As Rapidly Emerging Economic And Regional Powers, One A Vibrant Democracy And The Other A Single-party Dictatorship. --publisher Description. Pre-modern India: From Pre-history To 1857 -- Traditional India: An Overview And Comparison -- Indian Civilization: From Pre-history To The Eighteenth Century -- India's Adjustment To British Aggression: 1756-1857 -- India Under The British, 1858-1947: The Establishment Of A Nonsecular Polity -- The British Record: An Overview -- The Making Of A Communal Polity: 1858-1908 -- Constitutionalism And The Politics Of Communalism: 1908-1947 -- Independent India: Search For National Identity -- Jawaharlal Nehru, 1947-1964: The Shaping Of A New Order -- Indira Gandhi, 1966-1984: Authoritarianism And The New Communalism -- The Decline Of The Congress, 1985-1996: The Emergence Of Hindu Nationalism And Caste Politics -- The Rise Of The Bjp As A National Party, 1996-2004: Toward A New Polity -- The Resurrection Of The Congress: The General Elections Of 2004 And 2009 -- Epilogue: Modern India And Modern China: An Overview And Comparison. Ranbir Vohra. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.