Mainstream Weekly

Tottering Britain and Partition

P.K. Nigam — 2009-10-25T10:11:54Z

To understand the correct history of India's independence and partition, it is necessary to know Britain's economic position after WW II. Churchill had said: “We are not fighting this war (and spending money) to lose our Empire.” Till the war end British politicians did not understand that though the empire was necessary for the British, they had no power left to rule it. Colonial Secretary Cranebourne (the grandson of Lord Salisbury) believed in 1942 that the “British Empire is not dead, it (…)

- October 2009

Military Balance and Partition

P.K. Nigam — 2009-09-26T14:12:07Z

A small number of Englishmen (about two lacs) ruled India, a vast country with a population of 400 million. How could they do it? Their strategy was military control and creation of vested interests bound up with British rule. The princes and zamindars were given privileges and they wanted the British to rule India. After a few decades of the Great Revolt of 1857, the British became pro-Muslim to convert them to support British rule. Wavell considered Muslims loyalist like princes. (…)

- September 2009

Jinnah and Nehru

P.K. Nigam — 2009-09-12T15:36:44Z

Jaswant Singh wrote that Jinnah was a great man. Advani considered that Jinnah was secular. The BJP leaders have been enamoured of Jinnah and his greatness. But, their bete noire is Nehru. He was pseudo-secular. What are the facts?
Jinnah's reading was limited and he did not understand geo-politics. Nehru had vast reading and his knowledge of the outside world was better than any leader in the world. Based on his vast knowledge, he made many predictions, which came true. Only two are (…)

- September 2009