India's freedom struggle, 1857-1947: A short history

This introductory text explains how the Indian freedom struggle began and took shape between the Great Revolt of 1857 and the attainment of Independence in 1947. Beginning with the decline of the Mughal empire in the eighteenth century, it briefly surveys the British economic and social colonialism against which the struggle first began. Its development into a national movement, and the characters and significant events that went into the creation of modern India, are then discussed in greater detail. Aimed at general readers as well as school and university students, this brief and readable introduction provides an accessible narrative on a large and important historical period.