In the middle of August 1947, two nations – the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan – came into being through a Partition of the British Indian Empire. The Princely States, which owed their existence to the British, acceded to either of...

In the middle of August 1947, two nations – the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan – came into being through a Partition of the British Indian Empire. The Princely States, which owed their existence to the British, acceded to either of the two Dominions. Jinnah, as Governor-General of Pakistan, and Nehru, as Prime Minister ofIndia, took the oath of office swearing allegiance to George VI, who was still theKing of both the Dominions but no longer the Rex Imperator or King-Emperor. The Dominions eventually emerged as the Republic of India in 1950 and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in 1956. Twenty-five years on, in 1972, a third country – the People’s Republic of Bangladesh – was born out of the liquidation of East Pakistan.A United India – if it had been preserved – may have been an equal, militarily and economically, of the People’s Republic of China. Arun Bhatnagar’s Book is an engaging and absorbing account of aSubcontinent that passed through the High Noon of Empire, saw unity dissolvinginto division and experienced euphoria and despair, progress and tragedy, victoryand defeat. The narrative, during the years 1911-1999, traverses (by way of thelife-story of an Indian member of the ICS, later a practicing Barrister andPolitician) various dimensions of history, politics, economy, culture and administration.The Afterword conveys the reader into the twenty-first century when unfriendly neighbours are in alliance to thwart New Delhi’s interests.