India acquired freedom from English rule quite a while back after a long-taken conflict, and much has been expounded on it. To explore and document the events that led to the country's independence, including the bloodbath that was Partition, writers have sought refuge in both fiction and non-fiction over the years.
In preparation for India's August 15 (Saturday) celebration of yet another Independence Day, here are some books you can read to learn more about the time period.
"India's Struggle for Independence" by Bipan Chandra: This book provides an in-depth analysis of the Indian independence movement, beginning with the revolt of 1857 and ending with India's independence in 1947.
"The Discovery of India" by Jawaharlal Nehru: This book is a comprehensive account of India's history and culture, written by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
"Freedom at Midnight" by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre: This book tells the story of India's independence and the events that led up to it, including the role of Gandhi, Nehru, and other key figures.
"Gandhi: An Autobiography – The Story of My Experiments with Truth" by Mohandas K. Gandhi: This book is Gandhi's own account of his life, his philosophy, and his struggle for India's independence.
"The Last Mughal" by William Dalrymple: This book tells the story of the fall of the Mughal Empire and the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which was a crucial turning point in India's struggle for independence.
"The Indian War of Independence, 1857" by V.D. Savarkar: This book is a detailed account of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, written by one of the key leaders of the Hindu nationalist movement.
"India Wins Freedom" by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: This book is a firsthand account of India's independence by one of the key leaders of the Indian National Congress, who later became India's first Minister of Education.
"An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India" by Shashi Tharoor: This book provides a critical analysis of British rule in India and its impact on Indian society and culture.
"The Great Indian Mutiny: A Dramatic Account of the Sepoy Rebellion" by Christopher Hibbert: This book provides a vivid account of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which was a key event in India's struggle for independence.
"The Story of My Experiments with Truth" by Mahatma Gandhi: This is the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi, which provides an intimate account of his life, his philosophy, and his role in India's struggle for independence.