This book deals with a very important phase of Indian history, covering developments from the eighteenth century to independent India.

Ishita Banerjee-Dube is Professor of History at the Centre for Asian and African Studies, El Colegio de Mexico, Mexico City, and a member of the National System of Researchers (SNI), Mexico, where she holds the highest rank. Her authored books include Divine Affairs (2001), Religion, Law, and Power (2007) and, in Spanish, Fronteras del Hinduismo (2007). Among her eight edited volumes are Unbecoming Modern (2005), Caste in History (2008) and Ancient to Modern (2009).

Photographs, maps, posters and figures; About the author; Acknowledgements; Prologue; 1. The colourful world of the eighteenth century; 2. Emergence of the Company Raj; 3. An inaugural century; 4. Creating anew; 5. Imagining India; 6. Challenge and rupture; 7. The Mahatma phenomenon; 8. Difficulties and initiatives; 9. Many pathways of a nation; 10. The tumultuous forties; 11. 1947 and after; Bibliography; Index.