7 Books every Indian should read this Republic Day January 26th

Republic Day is celebrated on January 26 every year to remember the day when the Constitution of India came into effect after India gained independence from the British. Ever since the historic day, January 26 is celebrated with festivities and patriotic fervor all around the country. On Republic Day, flag hoisting ceremonies and parades by armed forces and school children are held in different parts of the country. The grandest and most important of these parades is held at Rajpath in New Delhi, which showcases a multi-hued image of the country’s rich cultural heritage and military prowess. Today, on the eve of the 73rd Republic Day of India, here is a look at 7 books every Indian should read.

‘India: A History’ by John Keay

he book describes the country of India, in all its richness and glory, from times immemorial. It offers an in-depth look at the history of India through a chronological review of the major events that transformed its diverse cultures and traditions. Right from the first Harappan Civilization in ancient times to the present-day activities, it attempts to paint a big picture of India to its readers.

​’The Idea of India’ by Sunil Khilnani

The book describes the economic and political history of India in the fifty years since Partition. It focuses in particular on the role that the national ideal of democracy has played in India’s evolution. It is also noted for its treatment of the personality and actions of Jawaharlal Nehru in the development of the country.

​’A Passage to India’ by E.M. Forster

The book is mainly about prejudice between British people and Indians in the 1920s. Set in pre-Independence India, when India was ruled by the British, the book questions whether a friendship between a British person and an Indian would have been possible in those prejudiced times.

‘The Discovery of India’ by Jawaharlal Nehru

The book was written during Nehru’s four years of confinement in prison and is his way of paying homage to his beloved country and its rich culture. It is a broad view of Indian history, culture, and philosophy, and is considered one of the finest writings on Indian History.

​’The Argumentative Indian’ by Amartya Sen

The book brings together an illuminating selection of writings from Sen that outline the need to understand contemporary India in the light of its long argumentative tradition. He argues that the understanding and use of this rich argumentative tradition are critically important for the success of India’s democracy, the defense of its secular politics, the removal of inequalities related to class, caste, gender, and community, and the pursuit of sub-continental peace.

‘Inglorious Empire’ by Shashi Tharoor

In this, Tharoor demonstrates how every supposed imperial ‘gift’ from the railways to the rule of law was designed in Britain’s interests alone. He goes on to show how Britain’s Industrial Revolution was founded on India s deindustrialization and the destruction of its textile industry. He exposes to devastating effect the inglorious reality of Britain’s stained Indian legacy. The book is also available as an audio book on Audible, narrated by Tharoor himself.

‘Annihilation Of Caste’ by BR Ambedkar

An undelivered speech written in 1936 by Ambedkar, the work is considered a classic and is being re-evaluated time and again. It is an account of the belief that social reform has to take precedence over political and religious reform, providing instances of the tyranny practiced by upper-caste Hindus on the untouchable community of India. The book is also available as an audio book on Audible, narrated by Siddhartha Valicharla.