Jawaharlal Nehru

Rudrangshu Mukherjee

Oxford India Short Introductions Series

A short, lucid and introductory volume on Nehru for the first time
A must-read for anyone interested in, studying or researching on Indian history or politics
A veteran author who is a popular Indian personality

Jawaharlal Nehru

Rudrangshu Mukherjee

Oxford India Short Introductions Series

Description

This is a short introduction to the life and ideas of Jawaharlal Nehru, independent India's first prime minister. The approach is biographical. The book traces how Nehru transformed himself from a rich Westernized young man to a radical leader of the Congress. It looks at his relationship with Mahatma Gandhi. This relationship was fraught but he remained loyal to Gandhi and was his chosen successor. This introduction also looks at some of the significant features of his tenure as prime minister and makes an assessment of his contribution to the making of modern India and to democracy in India.

Jawaharlal Nehru

Rudrangshu Mukherjee

Oxford India Short Introductions Series

Jawaharlal Nehru

Rudrangshu Mukherjee

Oxford India Short Introductions Series

Author Information

Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Chancellor and Professor of History, Ashoka University

Rudrangshu Mukherjee is the Chancellor and Professor of History, Ashoka University. He was also the founding Vice Chancellor and Professor of History at Ashoka University. Between 1993 and 2014, he was the editor, editorial pages of The Telegraph, Kolkata. He has taught in the history department of the University of Calcutta. Mukherjee has held visiting appointments at Princeton University, Manchester University and the University of California, Santa Cruz. He was educated at Calcutta Boys' School, Presidency College, Kolkata; Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; and St Edmund Hall, Oxford. He was awarded a DPhil in modern history by the University of Oxford. Among his important publications are Awadh in Revolt 1857-58: A Study of Popular Resistance, Spectre of Violence: The Kanpur Massacres in the Revolt of 1857, Year of Blood: Essays on 1857, The Penguin Gandhi Reader, Great Speeches of Modern India, Nehru & Bose: Parallel Lives and Twilight Falls on Liberalism.

Jawaharlal Nehru

Rudrangshu Mukherjee

Oxford India Short Introductions Series

Reviews and Awards

"'This manuscript on Jawaharlal Nehru is an excellent introduction to this remarkable statesman, nationalist leader and public intellectual. ... The chapters are well designed. ... [I]t is a must-read for the younger generation ... The author is able to illumine for the reader, Nehru the individual behind the public figure. ... The strength of the manuscript lies in its being rooted in a profound understanding of Nehru, his age, his movement, his people, his country, nay, his world. ... I recommend the manuscript strongly for publication in the series. ... There are many biographies of Nehru but no short introduction. It should face no competition in the market.'" - Sucheta Mahajan, Professor and Chairperson, Centre for Historical Studies, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

"'OUP's Oxford India Short Introductions is a good series. It helps understand complex issues and important personalities and prepares a general reader to explore further readings. It can also be introduced in schools. ... Such short introductions have not been attempted by other academic/trade publishers. There are various kinds of biographies of Nehru but not in this format. ... The organization of the book is fine. ... I recommend publication.'" - Akshaya Mukul, journalist and independent researcher, author of 'Gita Press and the Making of Hindu India'