An in-depth look at what truly happened when the Great Britain gave India its independence, from the author of Five Days from Defeat.
When India became independent in 1947, the general view, which has prevailed until now, is that Britain had been steadily working for an amicable transfer of power for decades. In this book, Walter Reid argues that nothing could be further from the truth. With reference to a vast amount of documentary material, from private letters to public records and state papers, Reid shows how Britain held back political progress in India for as long as possible—a policy which led to unimaginable chaos and suffering when independence was granted, and which created a legacy of hatred and distrust that continues to this day.
Praise for Keeping the Jewel in the Crown
“A fascinating, robust and provocative version of the sunset of the Raj.” —Lawrence James, author of Raj: The Making and Unmaking of British India
“A thorough and hard-hitting account . . . presented with clarity and sobriety.” —BBC History Magazine (UK)
“An excellent and original work . . . A meticulously researched, pioneering study that will appeal to many in both countries.” —The Open (India)
“It is a rare book that will alter the way you look at one of history’s pivotal events and one of its greatest tragedies, but this is one of them.” —Matt Rubin, Washington Times
