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Nehru's India: A History in Seven Myths

An iconoclastic history of the first two decades after independence in India

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ISBN:
Published:
Oct 11, 2022
Copyright:
2022
Illus:
7 b/w illus.
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Nehru鈥檚 India brings a provocative but nuanced set of new interpretations to the history of early independent India. Drawing from her extensive research over the past two decades, Taylor Sherman reevaluates the role of Jawaharlal Nehru, India鈥檚 first prime minister, in shaping the nation. She argues that the notion of Nehru as the architect of independent India, as well as the ideas, policies, and institutions most strongly associated with his premiership鈥攏onalignment, secularism, socialism, democracy, the strong state, and high modernism鈥攈ave lost their explanatory power. They have become myths.

Sherman examines seminal projects from the time and also introduces readers to little-known personalities and fresh case studies, including India鈥檚 continued engagement with overseas Indians, the importance of Buddhism in secular India, the transformations in industry and social life brought about by bicycles, a riotous and ultimately doomed attempt to prohibit the consumption of alcohol in Bombay, the early history of election campaign finance, and the first state-sponsored art exhibitions. The author also shines a light on underappreciated individuals, such as Apa Pant, the charismatic diplomat who influenced foreign policy from Kenya to Tibet, and Urmila Eulie Chowdhury, the rebellious architect who helped oversee the building of Chandigarh.

Tracing and critiquing developments in this formative period in Indian history, Nehru鈥檚 India offers a fresh and definitive exploration of the nation鈥檚 early postcolonial era.

Awards and Recognition

  • Longlisted for the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Book Prize, New India Foundation