Five books on independence every Indian should read

1. A Flag, A Song, and A Pinch of Salt, by Subhadra Sen Gupta

Clearly written and simply articulated, this book will find a large audience among younger readers who are eager to begin learning about Indian history. With each chapter centred on a particular freedom fighter or visionary, the author posits the sacrifice and passion of the ordinary people as the driving force of the struggle for independence. According to Sen Gupta, no freedom movement can succeed without those “pilgrims who had chosen the long and rocky path towards a dream called freedom.”

2. India Wins Freedom: The Complete Version, by Abul Kalam Azad

Fondly remembered as Maulana Azad, the author critically examines the achievements and blunders of the members of the Indian National Congress (INC) and those of the other participants in the tumultuous political scene. More than an autobiography, the novel is a heartfelt expression of the dreams of one man to achieve independence and political harmony.

3. India’s Struggle for Independence, by Bipan Chandra, Mridula Mukherjee, Aditya Mukherjee Sucheta Mahajan, KN Pannikar

Weaving multiple strands and tangential topics into an uninterrupted narrative, India’s Struggle for Independence is the ultimate repository of knowledge regarding the freedom struggle. Compiled from oral accounts and other primary sources, the novel covers multiple major and minor protests around the country, each of which played a crucial role in the downfall of the British Raj. The skilled group of five historians compiles an exhaustive and precise narration of Indian history that begs to be read with an open and analytic mind.

4. From Plassey To Partition: A History Of Modern India, by Sekhar Bandopadhyay

Suitable for both history buffs and the average literary enthusiast, the novel covers a 200-year span, connecting the dots between major events and showcasing differing points of view. With the use of straightforward language and unambiguous explanations, Bandopadhyay gives an account of history that is both educational and engaging.

5. Freedom at Midnight, by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre

Extremely readable and informative, this 1975 novel takes an in-depth look at the events before and after August 15, 1947. Presenting a highly detailed and well-researched account of the past, Collins and Lapierre focus on the division of the princely states, the partition of the subcontinent, the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and the politics of Jawaharlal Nehru and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.