Originally published in 1949, India does not attempt to provide a full history of the country, rather it brings to life the Indian story at the time by relating the position at the time of the new Indian Dominions to their historical background, and on the other hand, to concentrate attention on the political and economic growth of India, and to refer to other aspects when necessary. Therefore, it deals with the political and social legacy of ancient Hindu India and of medieval Muslim India in one chapter at the beginning, and the remainder of the volume is given to the description of the establishment and extension of European political rule and of the Indian reaction to it. Later chapters are concerned especially with India’s struggle for independence and the difficult transition which culminated in the Partition.

This book is a re-issue originally published in 1949. The language used and views portrayed are a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

Sir Cyril Henry Philips (1912–2005) was a college administrator, government official, historian, and author. A former vice chancellor of London University, Philips was instrumental in helping to expand the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and later helped establish government standards for commission work as head of the Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure. He was knighted in 1974.