C. H. Philips – författare

India inherited a system of representative and responsible government from Britain, a large part of which was incorporated in the new constitution of independent India. But in the early 1960s it was already becoming clear that this political system could not long continue without change; and the probability is that the change would be considerable. A system deriving its inspiration from a homogenous, tight little nation-state like Britain could scarcely fit a sub-continent of heterogeneous elements like India.

Already, under a deceptively smooth surface, important changes in the nature of Indian political life were taking place. Originally published in 1963, the purpose of these collected studies was to explore, in the rapidly changing situation, the intimate relationship of Indian politics and society and to indicate the ways in which the deeper social and political currents were moving. As an aid in assessing the degree of change in the modern political life of India, several studies of traditional attitudes towards politics in the Hindu and Muslim empires are included, along with an assessment of the central meaning of the fundamental British statement of policy in the Montagu Declaration of 1917. Against this background, the greater part of the volume discusses the practices and trends of the previous few years.

India inherited a system of representative and responsible government from Britain, a large part of which was incorporated in the new constitution of independent India. But in the early 1960s it was already becoming clear that this political system could not long continue without change; and the probability is that the change would be considerable. A system deriving its inspiration from a homogenous, tight little nation-state like Britain could scarcely fit a sub-continent of heterogeneous elements like India.

Already, under a deceptively smooth surface, important changes in the nature of Indian political life were taking place. Originally published in 1963, the purpose of these collected studies was to explore, in the rapidly changing situation, the intimate relationship of Indian politics and society and to indicate the ways in which the deeper social and political currents were moving. As an aid in assessing the degree of change in the modern political life of India, several studies of traditional attitudes towards politics in the Hindu and Muslim empires are included, along with an assessment of the central meaning of the fundamental British statement of policy in the Montagu Declaration of 1917. Against this background, the greater part of the volume discusses the practices and trends of the previous few years.

Originally published in 1949, India does not attempt to provide a full history of the country, rather it brings to life the Indian story at the time by relating the position at the time of the new Indian Dominions to their historical background, and on the other hand, to concentrate attention on the political and economic growth of India, and to refer to other aspects when necessary. Therefore, it deals with the political and social legacy of ancient Hindu India and of medieval Muslim India in one chapter at the beginning, and the remainder of the volume is given to the description of the establishment and extension of European political rule and of the Indian reaction to it. Later chapters are concerned especially with India’s struggle for independence and the difficult transition which culminated in the Partition.

This book is a re-issue originally published in 1949. The language used and views portrayed are a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

Originally published in 1949, India does not attempt to provide a full history of the country, rather it brings to life the Indian story at the time by relating the position at the time of the new Indian Dominions to their historical background, and on the other hand, to concentrate attention on the political and economic growth of India, and to refer to other aspects when necessary. Therefore, it deals with the political and social legacy of ancient Hindu India and of medieval Muslim India in one chapter at the beginning, and the remainder of the volume is given to the description of the establishment and extension of European political rule and of the Indian reaction to it. Later chapters are concerned especially with India’s struggle for independence and the difficult transition which culminated in the Partition.

This book is a re-issue originally published in 1949. The language used and views portrayed are a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

The partition of India in 1947 was an outstanding event in world history. It formed a major turning point in the modern history of the sub-continent and of the Commonwealth. Originally published in 1970, after more than twenty years had passed, this title brought together the evidence and put into perspective the course of events which had led to the transfer of power in India from Britain to two successor states rather than to one.

In 1937 the Muslims in India were thought to be politically weak and disorganized, yet ten years later they were able to put forward a convincing claim for a separate state. How did this come about? The lack of any sense of urgency in making a constitutional settlement between the wars, Congress miscalculations during the war, and the political exploitation of Muslim nationalism all played a part, but the interpretation of the events leading to partition tends to vary with the preconceptions and outlook of the various contributors to the debate at the time.

The enquiry which led to this volume began as a simple attempt to collect evidence from those still alive. From this grew a regular series of meetings between ‘participants’ and historians of the three countries, culminating in a conference. The material presented here discusses the more important aspects of the partite from the different viewpoints. It is arranged in two sections: first-hand accounts by those who took part; and an analysis by leading specialists. In his Introduction Professor Philips points to the main historical problems which had emerged and suggests areas of study which would repay early investigation.

The time was not yet ripe for a wholly definitive account, but this book suggests a framework within which this could be done and brought together raw material for future historians before the generation of eye-witnesses passed away. The resources of the School of Oriental and African Studies enabled an enterprise to be mounted which would have been beyond the capacity of any one individual.

This book is a re-issue originally published in 1970. The language used and views portrayed are a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

The partition of India in 1947 was an outstanding event in world history. It formed a major turning point in the modern history of the sub-continent and of the Commonwealth. Originally published in 1970, after more than twenty years had passed, this title brought together the evidence and put into perspective the course of events which had led to the transfer of power in India from Britain to two successor states rather than to one.

In 1937 the Muslims in India were thought to be politically weak and disorganized, yet ten years later they were able to put forward a convincing claim for a separate state. How did this come about? The lack of any sense of urgency in making a constitutional settlement between the wars, Congress miscalculations during the war, and the political exploitation of Muslim nationalism all played a part, but the interpretation of the events leading to partition tends to vary with the preconceptions and outlook of the various contributors to the debate at the time.

The enquiry which led to this volume began as a simple attempt to collect evidence from those still alive. From this grew a regular series of meetings between ‘participants’ and historians of the three countries, culminating in a conference. The material presented here discusses the more important aspects of the partite from the different viewpoints. It is arranged in two sections: first-hand accounts by those who took part; and an analysis by leading specialists. In his Introduction Professor Philips points to the main historical problems which had emerged and suggests areas of study which would repay early investigation.

The time was not yet ripe for a wholly definitive account, but this book suggests a framework within which this could be done and brought together raw material for future historians before the generation of eye-witnesses passed away. The resources of the School of Oriental and African Studies enabled an enterprise to be mounted which would have been beyond the capacity of any one individual.

This book is a re-issue originally published in 1970. The language used and views portrayed are a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.