Rebels Against the Raj

Western Fighters for India's Freedom

By: Ramachandra Guha

Narrated by: Vidish Athavale

Length: 18 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

An extraordinary history of resistance and the fight for Indian independence—the little-known story of seven foreigners to India who joined the movement fighting for freedom from British colonial rule.

Rebels Against the Raj tells the story of seven people who chose to struggle for a country other than their own: foreigners to India who across the late 19th to late 20th century arrived to join the freedom movement fighting for independence from British colonial rule.

Of the seven, four were British, two American, and one Irish. Four men, three women. Before and after being jailed or deported they did remarkable and pioneering work in a variety of fields: journalism, social reform, education, the emancipation of women, environmentalism.

This book tells their stories, each renegade motivated by idealism and genuine sacrifice; each connected to Gandhi, though some as acolytes where others found endless infuriation in his views; each understanding they would likely face prison sentences for their resistance, and likely live and die in India; each one leaving a profound impact on the region in which they worked, their legacies continuing through the institutions they founded and the generations and individuals they inspired.

Through these entwined lives, wonderfully told by one of the world’s finest historians, we reach deep insights into relations between India and the West, and India’s story as a country searching for its identity and liberty beyond British colonial rule.

©2022 Ramachandra Guha (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

A New Yorker Best Book of the Year

“Insightful… Captivating… Guha’s previous works have distinguished him as an exceptional chronicler of India’s modern history. His latest volume provides fresh perspectives on the independence struggle that will appeal to those seeking more obscure eyewitness accounts. And since the book’s main figures were born outside of India, Rebels Against the Raj may strike a chord with contemporary outsiders who themselves have been seduced by India’s history and culture.” —Samir Puri, New York Times

"Mr Guha’s new book [is] a reminder of how many outsiders held (and hold) deep affection for India and its democratic cause... The stories of his seven subjects—four men and three women—are deftly interwined... Mr Guha does not overstate the role of these foreigners... His account does not change the broad narrative of how Indians won freedom for themselves. Its real point is as much about the future as the past—an argument for the tolerant, outward-looking country India could once again become." —The Economist

"Fascinating and provocative reading... Guha organizes his material expertly and presents it clearly and stylishly, illuminating an aspect of Raj history which is often forgotten or neglected but which is nonetheless crucial... This superb book... add[s] a new dimension to the histories both of subject India and of imperial Britain – and [is] a thoroughly good read." —Bernard Porter, The Literary Review

Excellent, but would have benefited from more context

While the Epilogue was useful, it would have benefited from more context in a prologue. There were many British and others who fell in love with India and not only benefitted it, but supported it’s need for independence. I would have liked to hear about that as a background.

Unparalleled History of India

An in depth discussion of seven foreigners who had overly large influence on the independence of India. Seven foreigners who considered themselves Indian patriots even when faced with prison by their own native countries.

Their individual stories and the interrelationship among them paints a fascinating history of India during that country's coming of age in the modern world.

The narrator's careful reading and enunciation of difficult place names allows the listener to easily follow the narrative.

The biographies of the principal individuals is neither haigographic nor commonplace; rather, it is plain history that informs as well as creating wonderment.

Highly recommended!