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An easy-to-read and entertaining account of India’s history, as titled, after Mahatma Gandhi. Veering his attention more towards the Nehru years, and with not-so-hidden admiration for the first PM, Ram Guha provides fascinating accounts on formation of the states, linguistic divisions and the mammoth exercises that were the elections. What stands out is the threads that Guha ties up across chapters and even, sections of the book. The thorny Kashmir issue, for example, veers between resolution, internal strife and wars under the stewardship of many PMs. Other topics, though not insightful, are interesting to read including the ultra-socialist tilt under Indira Gandhi, hesitant governance under Rajiv and the degeneration of leaders into politicians. Highlights of the latter include the blatant infighting among the JP leadership, post 1977, and the emergence of caste-based votebank farming under the Yadavs.
All in all, an entertaining read on recent Indian history, literature on which appears seemingly scarce.
