Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay

A biography of four individuals who broke new ground in pre-Independence India but later faded into obscurity brings to life their divergent imaginations of Hindi-Hindu nationhood

In an early chapter of his book, indicatively titled "History is Made-Up", veteran editor and writer, Arun Shourie scrutinises an old speech/poetic recitation of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Dhirendra Jha begins the book with a stunning claim - a curtain-raiser to one of the many principal contentions in the book

The true value of Hilal Ahmed's book on the condition, plight, choices, and compulsions of Muslims in today's India lies in its refusal to see every issue as either black or white

The book traces how the city's growth and "birth" of New Delhi triggered the decline of the Muslim aristocracy, which began with British takeover after 1857

Mujibur Rehman's book offers a comprehensive overview of the background, existence, and dilemmas of being a Muslim in today's India

This compendium is indeed a record of not one, but an entire series of revolutionary acts by a group who chose not to hang up their boots

Vanya Bhargav's book on Lajpat Rai, depicting him as someone who envisioned the nation differently at various times while always believing in inclusivity, renders it significant in today's context

Though compact, Nalini Rajan's book packs an abundance of deeply researched information, aiming to reinforce one's understanding of secularism

Farahnaz Ispahani's compilation of essays provides a comprehensive, varied, and critical analysis of the rise of religious majoritarianism in South Asia

Joya Chatterji's book explores the complexities of South Asian history and identity, providing a wide sweep of the many realities of a crucial region in the world

'Freedom and Partition' explores forgotten facets of history and reflects on the complex perspectives surrounding independence celebrations in India

Over decades, Vajpayee and Mr Modi were on opposite sides of the playing field, most infamously in 2002

Besides introduction and conclusion, book has four chapters, Each chapter meticulously tracks past debates and political developments and often they are reinterpreted with the benefit of hindsight

Historian Ruth Harris' book presents Vivekananda as a multidimensional person and succeeds in its attempt to restore an "understanding of the monk's complexity"

Devanura Mahadeva's book takes a critical look at the RSS and helps readers comprehend the founding principles of the organisation through a series of quotes from its key members

We the People of the States of Bharat offers an excellent account of the considerations that have given the country its present internal boundaries to whet your appetite for history

In Ambedkar: A Life, a comparatively short biography of the leader, Shashi Tharoor nails the pretentious nature of Ambedkar's appropriation by many

Despite the inconsequence of its opinions on the national discourse, the Congress remains important. So, why does the party consciously choose not to pursue a path that could resurrect it?

The author has literally mapped the narrative of citizenship in the country which has evolved through several amendments in the Citizenship Act of 1955