This is one of the best book I have read on Indian history. Covers the integration of indian states in very detail. I loved reading the introduction and the first chapter, especially the way author sets context right from 300 AD till the day India got freedom, its just a delight!

A summary of this book (perhaps introduction chapter will suffice) should be made part of school curriculum.

Personally feel every Indian should read this book to understand the various decisions taken to see the India we live in today. Unfortunately as students we have studied some parts of British India like the battle of Plassey, Seapoy mutiny, Bengal partition, Minto-Morley act, Montague -Chemsford act, Non-cooperation movement, Jallianwala bagh, Simon commission upto Quit Inda. We have hardly studied about the various princely states and the intricacies in managing the various states. This book...

Written in 50s by VPMenon, who was Home Secretary under Sardar Patel it is a very interesting read. Best part - it excludes the typical "political correctness" that creeps in books these days - opinions at time of crisis are never nice, so why not express it and let readers decide. I liked sections about integration of Rajasthan and Kerala more than famed Hyderbad/Kashmir for simple reason taht you listen very less about them. I have gifted a copy of same to my father as well.

It is a document of efforts put down by architects of our modern nation. It's history of how they created one india from kashmir to kanyakumari first time ever in history of our country.

Five stars for the quality of the book.

Book is good but quality is average.Pages are not light.
Overall i brought content and knowledge which purpose fulfilled.

Good book for knowing the history of united India after independence.

Page quality is very bad.

The most valuable book to understand the Indian political scenario.

best book