"Between 1946 and 1952, the British Raj, the world's largest colony, was transformed into the Republic of India, the world's largest democracy. Independence, the Constituent Assembly Debates, the founding of the Republic, and India's first universal franchise general election occurred amidst the violence and displacement of the Partition, the uncertain and contested integration of the princely states, and the forceful quelling of internal dissent. This book investigates the ways in which these violent conjunctures constituted a postcolonial regime of sovereignty and shaped the historical development of democracy in India at the foundational moment of decolonization and national independence. From Raj to Republic presents a multifaceted history of sovereignty and democracy in India by linking together the princely state of Hyderabad's attempt to establish itself as a sovereign state, the partitioning of Punjab, and the communist-led revolutionary movement in Telangana. A national, territorial, republican, and liberal polity in India emerged out of a violent and contested process that forged new power relations and opened up historical trajectories with lasting consequences for modern India."--taken from back cover. Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents:
Introduction. Sovereignty, violence, and democracy, 1946-52 -- Chapter 1. Azad Hyderabad in the age of empire and nationalism -- Chapter 2. The battle for Hyderabad -- Chapter 3. Foundational violence : State and society in partitioned Punjab -- Chapter 4. Nation and narration : Testimony, citizenship, and sovereignty -- Chapter 5. An Indian Yan'an : Telangana, 1946-52 -- Chapter 6. The camp and the citizen -- Epilogue. From raj to republic, 1946-52 -- Abbreviations used in Notes -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.
Summary:
"This book makes a case for the unprecedented violence in India's immediate postcolonization and argues that it played a crucial role in institutional and constitutional development during this six-year span."-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.