Tremendous progress has been made in India during the modern period. British rule unified India, gave new ideals of Parliamentary Government and established factories, railways, telephone, etc. Due to development of new scientific weapons and impact of Industrial Revolution, East India Company was able to defeat Indian powers and succeeded in establishing British rule in India, Burma and Ceylon. In 1857, Great Rebellion took place which ended rule of East India Company and British Parliament in the name of Queen and King began to rule all over India through the Secretary of State for India and the Viceroy of India. The book is divided into two parts. Part I deals with Anglo-French wars, Maratha and Sikh wars and wars with other small powers and role of different Governor Generals such as Clive, Warren Hastings, Cornwallis, Wellesley, Hastings and Dalhousie etc. Socio-religious movements took place during this period and Brahmo Samaj was established by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Arya Samaj by Swami Dayanand, Ram Krishna Mission by Swami Vivekanand. Reform movements of Muslims and Sikhs also took place. Part II of the book deals with the constitutional developments and nationalist movement and the role played by the eminent leaders during this period. Ultimately, India became free on 15th August, 1947, and constitutional parliamentary Government was established and India became the largest democracy of the world. India was divided, Pakistan came into existence, which gave rise to conflicts between these two powers. Though in 1971, Pakistan was divided and Bangladesh came into existence but conflict is still continuing. After Independence, India has made great progress and she is now one of the mightiest powers on earth with nuclear weapons and viable economy. From 1947 to 2002 tremendous progress has been made in scientific inventions, art, literature and in other social aspects which have been described in brief. Unfortunately, modern history of India has been written by British writers with imperialist point of view. In this book an attempt has been made to give objective outlook.

Table of Contents:
Part—I (1707—1857) 1. Fall of the Mughal Empire Disintegration of the Mughal Empire — Aurangzeb’s Responsibility — Weak Successors of Aurangzeb — Degeneration of Mughal Nobility — Court Factions — Defective Law of Succession — The Rise of the Marathas — Demoralisation in the Mughal Army — Economic Bankruptcy — Nature of the Mughal State — Invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah Abadali — Coming of the Europeans — Intellectual Bankruptcy — The size of the Mughal Empire — Wide spread of Corruption in Administration — Neglect of the Sea Power — Mansabdari System. 2. Third Battle of Panipat Third Battle of Panipat (1761) — Causes of Third Battle of Panipat — Sada Shiva Rao Bhao comes to the North (1760) — The Third Battle of Panipat (January 1761) — Results and Effects of the Battle — Causes of the Failure of Marathas — Importance of the Battle. 3. Advent of Europeans in India Causes of the Conflict between the French and the Britishers — The First Carnatic War (1746—48) — Battle of San Thomas (1776) — Importance of the Battle of San Thomas or Adyar — Treaty of Aix la- chapalle (1748) — Effects of the First Carnatic War — Second Carnatic War (1749-54) — Causes — Terms of the Treaty of Pondicherry (1755) — The Results of the Second Carnatic War —The Third Carnatic War (1758-1763) — Causes of the War — Events of the War — The Treaty of Paris (1763) — Results of the Third Carnatic War — Causes of the Failure of the French and the Success of the British in India — An Estimate of Dupleix as a Statesman — Dupleix as a man — The Ambitious Aims and Policy of Dupleix — Attempt to end the British Influence and Supremacy — Dupleix as a Statesman — Causes of Dupleix Failure. 4. Advent of the English in the East and Foundation of the British Empire Conspiracy against the Nawab —Battle of Plassey (Jan. 23, 1757) — Mir Qasim and the East India Company — Causes of Conflict between Mir Qasim and the East India Company — Mir Jafar Placed on the Throne — Battle of Buxar 1764 — Importance of the Battle of Buxar —Clive’s Second Governorship of Bengal (1765-67) — Civil and Military Reforms under Clive — The Grant of Diwani of Bengal — Dual Government — Merits of the System — Defects of the Double System of Government — Estimate of Clive. 5. Warren Hastings (1772—85) Circumstances which led to the passing of the Regulating Act — Its Object — Main Provisions — The Defects of the Regulating Act — Removal of Defects of the Regulating Act of 1773 — Importance of the Regulating Act —Reforms of Warren Hastings — Revenue Reforms — Commercial Reforms — Consequences of these Reforms — Aims and Reforms of Warren Hasting’s Foreign Policy — The Cause of the First Maratha War — Events of the First Maratha War (1779) — Treaty of the Salbai 1782 — Significance of the Treaty of Salbai — Estimate of Warren Hastings — Patron of Indian languages — Warren Hastings Weakness for Money — Warren Hasting’s Impeachment — Importance of his Impeachment. 6. Lord Carnwallis (1786—1793) Lord Carnwallis (1786—93) — Reforms of Carnwallis — Reform of Public Services — Reforms in the Police and Army — Judicial Reforms — Carnwallis Code — Commercial Reforms — Suppersion of Bribery, Corruption and Evils of Private Trade — Europeanisation of Administrative Machinery — Revenue Reforms and Permanent Settlement of Land — Two Schools of Tought regarding the Land Revenue Settlement — Main features of the Permanent Settlement and its merits and demerits — Estimate of Permanent Land Settlement — Merits of Permanent Settlement — Demerits of the Permanent Settlement in Bengal — Conclusion — Estimate of Lord Carnwallis. 7. Lord Wellesley (1798—1805) Lord Wellesley (1798—1805) — Development of Subsidiary System — The Main Features of the Subsidiary System — Merits of the Subsidiary System — Demerits of the Subsidiary System — States which Joined the Subsidiary Alliance — Advantages to the Company — Confederation of Maratha States — Provisions of the Treaty of Bassein — Second Maratha War — Third Maratha War (1817—18) — Causes for the Defeat of the Marathas. 8. Lord Hastings (1812—1823) War with Nepal (1814-16) — Events of the War — The Treaty of Sangauli (1816) — Significance of the Treaty of Sangauli — The Pindari War 1817—18 — Causes of the Pindari War — Events of the War —Judicial Reforms — Revenue Reforms — Educational Reforms — Rise of Haidar Ali and Progress of Mysore under him — Character of Haidar Ali — The First Mysore War (1767—1769) — Treaty of Madras (1769) — The Second Mysore War (1780-84) (Warren Hastings and Mysore) — The Third Mysore War (1790—92) (Carnwallis and Mysore) — Events of the War — Consequences of the War — Why was Tipu not deposed? — Fourth Mysore War (1799) and the Decline of Tipu (Lord Wellesley and Mysore) — Causes of Tipu’s Down-fall — Character of Tipu — Tipu Sultan as a Man — Tipu Sultan as a Great Administrator — Tipu’s Contrast with Hyder Ali — Political Conditions of India at the Time of Hastings Arrival — The War of Lord Hastings Period — Estimate of Hastings — A Comparision between Lord Hastings and Lord Wellesley. 9. Lord Amherst (1823—28) Problems of Eastern Frontier — First Burmese War (1824—26) — Causes and the Events of the First Burmese War — Result of the Burmese War — Significance of the Treaty of Yandoboo — Capture of Bharatpur —Barrackpore Mutiny (1824) — Causes of the Barrackpore Mutiny — Resignation. 10. Lord William Bentinck (1828—35) Reforms of Lord William Bentinck — Role of Raja Ram Mohan Roy in abolishing the Evil Practice of Sati — Public Works Reforms — Relations with Indian States — Relations with Sindh and Punjab. 11. Lord Auckland (1836—42) Appointment of Lord Auckland — His Relation with the Native States — His Afghan Policy — First Afghan War — Causes of the First Afghan War — Tripartite Party — Events of the War — Destruction of the British Army — Causes of Revolt against the English — Retreat of the English Army — End of the Afghan War — Criticism of Auckland’s Afghan Policy — Causes of English Failure — Relations with Indian States — Estimate of Lord Auckland. 12. Ranjit Singh Career and Achievements of Ranjeet Singh — Conquests of Territories of Sikh Misls — Annexations of the Territories of Other Misls (1811—1821) — Criticism of Ranjeet Singh’s Policy towards the Sikhs Misls — Abolition of Gurmatta (1805) — His Policy was Aggressive and Unscrupulous — Foreign Policy of Ranjit Singh — Ranjit Singh’s Cis-Sutlej Expedition 1806 — Malwa Expedition 1807 — Sir Charles Metcalfe Mission — Ranjit Singh’s Third Expedition against Malwa (1808) — The Treaty of Amritsar (1809) — Factors which Compelled Ranjit Singh to Sign the Treaty of Amritsar — Significance of the Treaty of Amritsar — Anglo Sikh Relations (1809—1839) — Shikarpur Affair, 1834 — The Question of Ferozepore — Ranjit Singh’s Forced Partnership in the Tripartite Treaty of 1839 — Criticism of Ranjit Singh’s Policy towards British — Civil Administration of Ranjit Singh — Central Government — Departments of the Central Government — Provincial Government — District Administration —Village Administration — Jagirs and Jagirdars — Financial Administration — Judicial Administration — Army of Ranjit Singh — Fauj-i Khas or French Legion — Fauj i- Am — Personality and Estimate of Ranjit Singh — Internal Condition of Punjab before the Outbreak of First Sikh War. 13. Lord Ellenborough (1842—44) The Appointment of Lord Ellenborough and the End of First Afghan War — Anglo Sindh Relations from Lord Minto to Lord Auckland — The Treaty of 1832 — Ellenborough’s Equally Unscrupulous Policy — Defeat of the Amirs and Annexation of Sindh — Criticism of English Policy to Annex Sindh — Recall of Ellenborough and his Estimate. 14. Lord Dalhausie (1848—56) Three Categories of States — Application of the Theory — Criticism of the Doctrine of Lapse — Criticism of Dalhausie’s annexation Policies — Dalhausie as an Administrator — Social Reforms — Railways, Post and Telegraph — Commercial Reforms — Establishment of Public Works Department — Educational Reforms — Military Reforms — Dalhausie’s Responsibility for the Rebellion 1857 — Estimate of Lord Dalhausie. 15. Lord Canning (1856—1862) Appointment of Lord Canning as Governor-General of India — Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858) — Constitutional Changes — Beginning of the Porfolio System — Significance of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation — Clemency Canning — His Policy towards Indian States — Reforms of Lord Canning — Other Works of Lord Canning — Estimate of Lord Canning. 16. The Great Rebellion of (1857—58) Purely a Military Revolt — The Mutiny was a War of Indian National Independence — Causes of the Mutiny — Religious Causes — Social Causes — Economic Causes — Military Causes — Spread of the Mutiny — Events of the Mutiny — Mangal Pande Incident — Main Events of the Mutiny — Revolt in Meerut — Capture of Delhi by the Rebels — Role of Nana Sahib and other Leaders — Azimullah Khan — Maulvi Ahmad Ali Shah — Kunwar Singh — Rani of Jhansi (Laxmi Bai) — Suppression of the Mutiny. The Revolt was Localised and not Countrywide — The Mutiny ‘A Fortunate Occurance’ — Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858) — Proclamation by the Queen-in Council to the Princes, Chiefs and the People. Part—II (1857 to Present day) 17. Lord Elgin to Lord Northbrook (1862—76) Lord Elgin (1862—63) — Revolt of Wahabis — Lord Lawrence (1864—69) — War with Bhutan — Afghan Policy — Famine in Orissa — Economic Progress — Tenancy Act —Policy towards Mysore — Estimate of Lord Lawrence — Lord Mayo (1869—72) — Mayo College — Red Sea Cable — Policy towards Indian States — Internal Reforms — Lord Northbrook (1872-1876) — Appointment — Kuka Movement — Trial of Gaekwad of Baroda — Bihar Famine. 18. Lord Lytton (1876—80) Royal Titles Act — Terrible Famine in Madras — Financial Reforms — Educational Progress — Vernacular Press Act — Indian Arms Act — Suggestions for Indian Privy Council — Civil Services — Afghan Policy — Forward Policy of Lord Lytton and its Consequences — Causes of Second Afghan War — Events of the War — The Treaty of Gandmak (1879) — Reaction and the Revolt of the Afghans — Criticism of the Afghan Policy of Lord Lytton — Resignation and Estimate of Lord Lytton. 19. Lord Ripon to Lord Elgin II (1880—1898) Lord Ripon (1880—84) — Liberal Policy of Lord Ripon — Reforms of Lord Ripon — Financial Reforms of Lord Ripon — Educational Reforms of Lord Ripon and the Hunter Mission — Social Reforms — Commercial Reforms — Repeal of Vernacular Press Act — Civil Service Recruitment — The Ilbert Bill Controversy — Lord Ripon’s Policy towards the Indian States — Afghan Problem and Lord Ripon — Census and Exhibition — Lord Ripon’s Popularity in India — Estimate of Lord Ripon. 20. Lord Dufferin to Lord Elgin II (1884—1899) Lord Dufferin (1884—88) Appointment — Punjdeh Affair (1884) — The Third Burmese War — Causes of the War —Events of War — Internal Policy of Lord Dufferin — Indian National Congress (1885) — Estimate of Lord Dufferin — Lord Lansdowne (1888-93) — Foreign Policy of Lord Lansdowne — Durand Agreement with Afghanistan — Provisions of the Durand Agreements — Revolts of Manipur and Kalat — Other Events of his Reign — Financial Reforms — Lord Elgin II (1894—99) — Chitral Expedition. 21. Lord Curzon (1899-1905) North West Frontier Policy of Lord Curzon — Relations with Afghanistan — Relations with Persia — Curzons Tibetan Policy — Criticism of the Tibet Policy — Internal Administration and Reforms — Famine and Plague — Agricultural Reforms — Measures to benefit Cultivators — Educational Reforms — Financial Reforms — Preservation of Ancient Monument — Administrative Reforms — Police Reforms —Military Reforms — The Partition of Bengal — Lord Curzon’s Resignation — Estimate of Lord Curzon. 22. Lord Minto II to Lord Mount Batten (1905—1947) Lord Minto (1905—10) — Morley Minto Reforms — Lord Hardinge — Delhi Durbar (1911) — Attempt on the Life of Lord Hardinge — Warning to China — The Problem of Indians in South Africa — Beginning of the First World War — Lord Chelmsford (1916—21) — Rowlatt Act —Afghan War — The Government of India Act, 1919 — Basic Principles of the Act of 1919 — Khilafat Movement — Lord Reading (1921-26) — His difficulties — Khilafat Movement and Hindu Muslim Unity — Some Measures of Lord Reading — India’s Contribution to the War Effort. 23. Leaders After Independence Rajagopalachari (June 1948 to January 1950) — Police Action in Hyderabad — Trial of Nathu Ram Godse — Merger of the Indian States in the Indian Union — Attempts to Improve Finances of India — Labour Welfare — Relations between India and Pakistan — Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950—62) — Progress of India — Policy of Non-allignment — Dr. S. Radha Krishnan (1962—67) — The War with China — Death of Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru — Pakistan Invasion 1965 — Devaluation of Indian Rupee — Dr. Zakir Husain (1967—69). 24. Progress of Literature and Education (1907—1947) University Education — The Saddler Commission 1917 — Hartog Committee and Wood Abbot Report — Contribution of Social and Religious Association — Development of Literature — Causes of Revival of Indian Literature — Hindi Literature — Urdu Literature — Sanskrit Literature — Bengali Literature — Art — Sculpture and Agriculture — Music and Dancing. 25. Socio-religious Movements of the 19th Century The Awakening of India — The Brahmo Samaj — Principles of Brahmo Samaj — Contribution of Devendra Nath Tagore and Keshav Chandra Sen — The Prarthna Samaj — Arya Samaj — Teaching of Arya Samaj — The Rama Krishna Mission — Dynamic Influence of Swami Viveka Nand — Radha Swami Sat Sang — Deva Samaj — Theosophical Society —Religious and Social Movements of the Muslims — Wahabi and Farazi Movements — Character of the Movement — Farazi Movement — Aligarh Movement — Ahmedia Movement. 26. Dawn of Nationalism Factors Promoting Nationalism — Reaction of the Indians — Birth of the Congress — Objects of the Congress — First Phase of the Indian National Congress 1885—1905 — Second Phase (1905—1916) — Causes of the Birth of Extremist — The Objectives and Methods of Extremist Group — Differences between the Policies and Methods of Moderates and Extremists — The Surat Session of the Congress —The Home Rule Movement. 27. Progress of National Movement The Terrorist Movement — Revolutionary Programme — Muslim Communalism —Factors Responsible for the Separatist Mentality of the Muslims — Work of Sir Sayed Ahmad Khan — Aligarh Movement — The Muslim League — Morley Minto Reforms were Disappointing — Rowlatt Act and Jalianwala Bagh Tragedy — Mahatma Gandhi and the Non-Co-operation Movement — Programme of the Non-Co-operation Movement of 1920 — Chauri Chaura Incident — The Swarajist Party — Simon Commission — Nehru Report — Civil Disobedience Movement of 1932 and the Dandi March — Gandhi Irwin Pact — Poona Pact — Decline of Civil Disobedience Movement — Rift between the Congress and the League — Split in Congress — Resignation of Congress Ministries — India and the Second World War — August offer of 1940 rejected by the Congress — Jinnah’s Two Nation Theory — Menance in Japanese Invasion — The Cripps Mission — The August Movement 1942 — Quit India Resolution, August 1942 — Spontaneous Revolt all over India — Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and the I.N.A. — Rajaji Formula, Wavell Plan and Simla Conference — The Last Phase of the Struggle. 28. Constitutional Development (1773—1950) The Regulating Act of 1773 — Provisions of the Regulating Act of 1793 — The Amending Act of 1781 — Pitts India Act, 1783-84 — The Act of 1786 — The Charter Act of 1793 — Charter Act of 1833 — Charter Act of 1833 — Charter Act of 1853 — Significance of the Charter Act of 1853 — Government of India Act, 1858 — Significance of the Act — Indian Councils Act of 1861 — Estimate of Indian Council’s Act 1861 — Indian Council Act, 1892 — Significance of the Act — Minto Morley Reforms, 1909. 29. Economic Consequences of British Rule in India Indian Economy of the Eve of British Rule — Destructive Role of British Rule — (I) Decay of Indigenous Industries — (II) Destructive Role of the British Government in India — (III) Introduction of Railways — A Trade and Military Oriented Net Work — Adverse Effect of Railways in India — The Economic Drain and its Various Forms — Causes of Famines — Femine Commissions — New Revenue Settlements. 30. Foreign and Frontier Policy Importance of North West Frontier — Sind Frontier — The Punjab Frontier — The Forward Policy — Anglo Afghan Relations — First Anglo Afghan War — Shah Shuja’s failure — Return of Dost Muhammad — Policy of Inactivity — Lord Mayo’s Afghan Policy — Second Afghan War — Ripon’s Afghan Policy — Relation with Afghanistan (1901—1937) — War with Amanullah (1919) — Afghan Civil War and the Abdication of Amanullah — Early Relation — Lord Curzon’s Tibetan Policy — The Treaty of Lhassa. 31. Growth of Local Self-Government in India Local Self-Government — Functions of Local Self-Government — Inception of Local Self-Government in India — East India Company and Local Self-Government — Act of 1840 — Decentralisation of Fiscal Policy and the Development of Local Self-Government — Lord Ripon and Development of Local Self-Government — Importance of Lord Ripons Suggestions — Territorial Jurisdiction of Local Bodies — Official and Non-official Members — Complete Transfer of Power to Popular Representatives — Psychological Control — Non-official President of the Board — Fiscal Powers. 32. History of the Press in India Development of Press and Public Opinion — Vernacular Press Act, 1878 — The News Papers Act, 1908 — The Indian Press Act, 1910 — Criticism of the Act of 1910 — The Indian Press (Emergency Powers) Act, 1931 — Indian (States Protection) Act, 1934 — Press Trust of India Ltd. (1948) — Press Laws Enquiry Committee 1948 — The Indian Constitution — Press (Objectionable Matter) Act, 1951. 33. The Indian States The Indian States — Indian States Under the Crown — Changes in the British Policy towards the States — Decline in the Status of Indian States Due to Royal Titles Act, 1876 — Chamber of Princes — Working of the Chamber of Princes — Policy of Equal Federation 1935—47 — Integration and Merger to the States — The Re-organisation of States. 34. Leaders of Modern India Dadabhai Naoroji (1825—1917) — Gopal Krishna Gokhle (1866—1915) — His Place in History — Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar — Tilak — (1856-1920) — His views of National Language — Philosophy of Defiance — Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) — Jawahar Lal Nehru (1889-1964) — A Historical Assessment of Nehru — Rajiv Gandhi (1944-91) — Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1926). 35. Consolidation of Independence Framing of a Constitution — Integration of Indian States — Economic Planning. Appendices : Appendix (i) : Chronology of Important Events. Appendix (ii) : Governors of Bengal. Appendix (iii) : Genealogy of the Peshwas of Poona.