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Nehru: The Making of India
Jawaharlal Nehru, India's inaugural Prime Minister and Gandhi's political successor, steered the nation's course post-independence in 1947. Born into Allahabad's aristocratic Kashmiri Brahmin caste, Nehru's life and India's political evolution are intricately entwined. M.J. Akbar's perceptive biography delves into Nehru's upbringing, the political landscape, and his role in shaping modern India. Akbar, a renowned Indian journalist, presents a comprehensive portrait of Nehru, the man behind the public figure, drawing from diverse sources.
609 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 7, 2013
What a history! The struggle and overthrow of imperialism, religious strife, nation building and civil war are all in here. Plus two of the great leaders of the twentieth century – Gandhi and Nehru. By great leaders I mean humanistic and genuinely good and well meaning for their people.
Both Gandhi and Nehru had different approaches – Nehru was more down to earth and viewed science and technology as assets to be harnessed for his country. Also he came from a rich family – his father was a prosperous lawyer who joined India’s “swaraj” (independence movement). Both Nehru’s fell under Gandhi spell.
Jinnah is portrayed as devious in his quest for Pakistan. It would seem he only wanted to assume the mantle of Muslim power. He was an inward looking man – not a Gandhi or Nehru who accepted the diversity in India. Both Gandhi and Nehru nurtured democracy in India and both were opposed to the partition that Jinnah wanted.
The author describes Nehru as an open-minded introspective politician who loved his people and country. He did spend many years in jail during the indenpence movement where he did much soul-searching and writing. This was possibly due to the “benevolence” of British prisons - as compared to Stalinist or Nazi jails of the same era. Some of India’s democracy was inherited from its’ imperialist ruler.
The author has an approach from the inside looking out. The only detriment is that there is a lot of name-dropping in this book – there were many names I was unfamiliar with. Nevertheless the canvas of India is wide, varied and enthralling.
The author paints a very concise history of the Sino-Indian war which culminated in Chinese treachery in 1962. Nehru is portrayed as being somewhat naïve concerning China’s designs on India’s border.
Both Gandhi and Nehru had different approaches – Nehru was more down to earth and viewed science and technology as assets to be harnessed for his country. Also he came from a rich family – his father was a prosperous lawyer who joined India’s “swaraj” (independence movement). Both Nehru’s fell under Gandhi spell.
Jinnah is portrayed as devious in his quest for Pakistan. It would seem he only wanted to assume the mantle of Muslim power. He was an inward looking man – not a Gandhi or Nehru who accepted the diversity in India. Both Gandhi and Nehru nurtured democracy in India and both were opposed to the partition that Jinnah wanted.
The author describes Nehru as an open-minded introspective politician who loved his people and country. He did spend many years in jail during the indenpence movement where he did much soul-searching and writing. This was possibly due to the “benevolence” of British prisons - as compared to Stalinist or Nazi jails of the same era. Some of India’s democracy was inherited from its’ imperialist ruler.
The author has an approach from the inside looking out. The only detriment is that there is a lot of name-dropping in this book – there were many names I was unfamiliar with. Nevertheless the canvas of India is wide, varied and enthralling.
The author paints a very concise history of the Sino-Indian war which culminated in Chinese treachery in 1962. Nehru is portrayed as being somewhat naïve concerning China’s designs on India’s border.
October 14, 2013
Reading a biography is like living a life. Once.
Thankfully, I did not pick the standard biography by Breecher (as it published in 1959) or the exhaustive one by S.Gopal (didn't trust him).
This book is the benchmark of how a pol biography should be written. Rather than following the central figure and describing events around him it does the opposite. The narrative gives u a comprehensive picture of India from 1880s to 1964 and places Nehru in it. Secondly, a very balanced and exhaustive coverage of events including the INA trials in 1946 and the Navy Mutiny. Infact, I enjoyed so much that I picked up 3 more bios in parallel (reviews another day). The writing is stylish and bcoz he is a journalist, he has an acumen for politics which scholars lack. Superlative.
Thankfully, I did not pick the standard biography by Breecher (as it published in 1959) or the exhaustive one by S.Gopal (didn't trust him).
This book is the benchmark of how a pol biography should be written. Rather than following the central figure and describing events around him it does the opposite. The narrative gives u a comprehensive picture of India from 1880s to 1964 and places Nehru in it. Secondly, a very balanced and exhaustive coverage of events including the INA trials in 1946 and the Navy Mutiny. Infact, I enjoyed so much that I picked up 3 more bios in parallel (reviews another day). The writing is stylish and bcoz he is a journalist, he has an acumen for politics which scholars lack. Superlative.
November 15, 2013
It is a fitting tribute to the "founder" of Indian nation. Akbar is candid, as he always is and conveys his thoughts with precision and perception.
October 7, 2013
Great book, must read
November 15, 2015
A fascinating read into the life of Pandit Nehru. M. J. Akbar captures the historical events around Nehru's life very eloquently, and makes the book feel more of a history book than a biography. The historical narrative presented provides key insights into the life of other leading figures of Nehru's time as well, and portrays Nehru's life in context with the then realities.
Akbar spends most of the time in the book in the pre-1947 era, which undoubtedly does deserve a larger share. Though for a biography, I'd have loved to read in more detail about Nehru's life after independence as well. For example, Akbar only glosses over the economic policies, educational reforms, etc. initiated by Nehru. The foregin policy ideas, which Nehru clearly was very skilled at, is discussed in sufficient detail.
All through the book, you can't miss Akbar's admiration for Nehru. But what makes this book an objective portrayal is that Akbar's reasoning for praising Nehru never sounds sycophantic. He clearly doesn't mince words when it comes to criticize Nehru on his mistakes (of which Akbar finds two major ones: the Kashmir UN issue and the China war). Finally, Akbar succeeds convincingly in depicting Nehru as the hero of India's launch into a successful democracy, a title he truly deserved.
Edit: typos
Akbar spends most of the time in the book in the pre-1947 era, which undoubtedly does deserve a larger share. Though for a biography, I'd have loved to read in more detail about Nehru's life after independence as well. For example, Akbar only glosses over the economic policies, educational reforms, etc. initiated by Nehru. The foregin policy ideas, which Nehru clearly was very skilled at, is discussed in sufficient detail.
All through the book, you can't miss Akbar's admiration for Nehru. But what makes this book an objective portrayal is that Akbar's reasoning for praising Nehru never sounds sycophantic. He clearly doesn't mince words when it comes to criticize Nehru on his mistakes (of which Akbar finds two major ones: the Kashmir UN issue and the China war). Finally, Akbar succeeds convincingly in depicting Nehru as the hero of India's launch into a successful democracy, a title he truly deserved.
Edit: typos
August 25, 2013
A poignant and well researched book which intertwines the journey of Indian struggle for Independence with life journey of Nehru.The book succeeds in bringing real Nehru without any pretentions or hangup of putting Nehru into silos of morality or perfidy.The author tries to cover aspects of Nehru's life which are not neccasarily patronizing towards the leader,including issues like Edwina-Nehru affair and countless escapades post Kamala Nehru's death. The best part about the book is that it tries to deconstruct Nehru without mixing any ideological bias which the author may hold for/against Nehru.
February 6, 2014
M J Akbar is a historian more than a journalist. And he doesn't hold back his knowledge of history at any point in this book. Hence you end up becoming knowledgeable about M K Gandhi, Maulana Azad, Sardar Patel ,Jinnah, Sheikh Abdullah and many more people.
But the crux of this book is obviously Panditji.
The simple conclusion that you draw from this book is that we as Indians are lucky to have had a Founding Father in the form of Panditji.
And it will be a shame if we don't live up to his idea of India.
But the crux of this book is obviously Panditji.
The simple conclusion that you draw from this book is that we as Indians are lucky to have had a Founding Father in the form of Panditji.
And it will be a shame if we don't live up to his idea of India.
September 15, 2013
MJ Akbar is one of the most under- rated journalist writer in India today. This biography is a must read for all who have even slightest interest in the political history of India. An easy read and gives a detailed insight into the mind of our first prime minister and one of the greatest world leaders of 20th century.
June 17, 2014
An extremely well-written book that chronicles Nehru's life. Loved it. Very inspiring. His relationship with his father was particularly noteworthy and hugely inspiring. I draw on my memory to that section of the book as the hallmark of this book.
April 15, 2013
What a man, what a book ....vintage akbar
February 1, 2016
Interested in the birth of India, a great read on one of its main founders and the first father of India.
Want to read
January 4, 2020I am yet to read.
March 19, 2019
So good.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews