India's Struggle for Independence

There is this beautiful song in the old movie "Jagruti" (which was generously ripped off to make the modern day classic "Taare Zameen Par") about juvenile reformation and student life. The move ends with Mohammed Rafi crooning:

"Hum Layen Hain Toofan Se Kashti Nikaal Ke.

Is Desh Ko Rakhna Mere Bacchon Sambhaal Ke."

("We" have tugged this boat out of the cyclone. Please keep this country safe my children!)

Blood, sweat, heat, dust, grit and finally glory.

Contradictions, resentment, rebellion, debates, determination and finally freedom.

That our struggle for independence is a fascinating story of perseverance, will and fortitude is well known. But it was also one of differences, clashing opinions, ideologies and personalities is a lesser known fact.

The greatness of the movement was not that it achieved its goal. Its greatness lies in the fact that it did this despite the variety of... hmmm everything... that existed in the country.

The greatness of the men and women who wasted away their lives for this purpose, I feel, is misplaced. It is not because of the hardships they went through towards attaining independence.

It is the how they forged a unified force towards this, enveloping all streams of thoughts, all kinds of personalities -- with mutual respect.

Of course, this book -- a collection of erudite essays by historians like Bipan Chandra, K N Panikkar and Mridula Mukherjee – is not just an eulogy to the people and the movement itself.

Because, besides describing the events, thought processes and ideologies between 1857 and 1947, the book also throws light on the failures of the leadership and people.

The inability of the top-line leadership – Nehru, Gandhi, Patel, Jinnah etc -- to identify and tackle the socioeconomic roots of communalism in the subcontinent and the emphasis on discussion, the compromise among leaders themselves to tackle the issue is a case in point.

Clearing up some of the misconceptions about individuals and the principles, explaining the idea behind some of the controversial steps, the basic theory underlying the whole independence movement in the post-Gandhi era, the book provides a basic theoretical framework for the whole movement.

Forget about interest in history as such, this book is a must read for anyone with even an iota of interest for how we became what we are today.

Indeed, the book cries out: “We have done our job. It’s your turn to safeguard the country.”