Introduction The integration of princely states into the Indian Union after Independence in 1947 stands as one of the most remarkable administrative achievements in modern world history. At the time of Independence, India was not a single political entity. Instead, it consisted of British provinces alongside nearly 565 princely states, varying enormously in size, population,…
Introduction Lord Dalhousie served as the Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856, a period that marked a decisive transition in British rule from a mercantile-administrative phase to a centralized, interventionist, and modernizing colonial state. While Dalhousie is often criticized for his aggressive imperialism and policies such as the Doctrine of Lapse, it is equally…
Introduction The Indian struggle for freedom was not merely a political movement against colonial rule; it was a social revolution that challenged deeply entrenched hierarchies of gender, age, class, caste, and religion. In this transformative process, Indian women emerged as powerful torchbearers, defying centuries of patriarchal restrictions and social conservatism. From royal palaces to village…
Introduction The Indian struggle for freedom was not only a movement led by Indians but also a universal fight against colonialism, imperialism, and injustice. While the leadership and mass participation were overwhelmingly Indian, several foreigners chose India as their homeland, emotionally, intellectually, and politically. They identified themselves with India’s aspirations and actively participated in its…
Introduction The economic history of colonial India is closely intertwined with the policies and practices of the British East India Company (EIC) and later the British Crown. From the mid-18th century, following the Battle of Plassey (1757), the British consolidated their control over vast territories of India, marking the beginning of a systematic transformation of…
Introduction The Third Battle of Panipat, fought on 14 January 1761, between the Maratha Empire and the Afghan forces led by Ahmad Shah Abdali (also known as Ahmad Shah Durrani), remains one of the most decisive and devastating battles in Indian history. It marked a turning point in the 18th-century political landscape of India, creating…
The Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Mutiny of February 1946—often sidelined in mainstream narratives—remains one of the most decisive yet underappreciated events that accelerated the end of British colonial rule in India. Occurring in the twilight years of the empire, the uprising demonstrated a complete collapse of loyalty within the very institutions the British relied upon…
Introduction The achievement of Indian independence in 1947 was the result of a long, complex, and multidimensional national movement. It was shaped by diverse ideologies, mass struggles, constitutional negotiations, and revolutionary activities. Within this spectrum, Mahatma Gandhi stands out as the most influential leader, who redefined the nature, direction, and moral foundation of the movement….
Introduction The struggle for social justice in modern India is inseparable from the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. Both were towering personalities who shaped India’s socio-political landscape, particularly in relation to the condition of the oppressed communities. Although their pathways, ideological foundations, and methods differed profoundly, their ultimate commitment to uplifting…
Introduction The Indian freedom struggle was not merely a political movement; it was a vast socio-cultural transformation in which women emerged as dynamic participants. While women had participated in earlier regional uprisings—such as the Revolt of 1857 or tribal and peasant resistances—their involvement remained limited in scope and visibility. It was only during the Gandhian…