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tively new is the analysis cal churnings and events strands of historiography, narrative and production
of India’s Northeastern are integrated in an easy persuading the reader to values, all of which the
societies that underwent and smooth narrative that engage with social change present volume under re-
radical transformation in examines extraordinary free from ideological polar- view demonstrates. There
the wake of British control, changes Indian society, ization. may be quibbles over the
Christianity and plantation economy and polity un- This is especially ap- question of selectivity — of
agriculture. One may of derwent, albeit with fault parent in the sections on the emphasis some themes
course, point out that this lines and gaps. Readers Gandhi and the evolution enjoy in relation to others
is not adequately done and will be left with evocative of mass politics, the rise of but it is on the whole a dif-
seems an act of posturing, impressions and a clear the Hindu Right and the ficult job well done.
but it definitely marks an understanding of complex challenges that India faced For one, the south is
important beginning. experiences which is the after independence. On the very well analysed, in
The last section of the hallmark of any country’s other hand, given the grav- contrast to most writings
book which looks at con- historical profile. ity of the challenges that on the subject which have
solidation of British rule, Whether it was the ef- history writing faces in always been Delhi-centric
India’s response and the fects of long-term migra- today’s India, it may have and as a result there is a
slow delineation of nation- tions and settlements, helped to provide greater refreshing quality about
alist consciousness does an or the influence of Islam context for the inevitable the book. It is accessible,
adequate job of condens- on the subcontinent, or politicization of history readable and promises
ing an extremely complex indeed the impact of mod- writing. to go down as a useful
set of historical processes ern western ideas on the Admittedly, a good textbook on the history of
and debates that surround Indian intelligentsia that history textbook demands a country which has never
them. What stands out is undertook the project of lucid explanations free been easy to retell.
the ease with which details liberation and self-rule, the from bias, good illustra- LAKSHMI SUBRAMANIAN
from famines to politi- authors tease out diverse tions that reinforce the (The Book Review)

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