Khilnani’s book on India is a history told in fifty biographies, spanning in time from the Buddha to Dhirubhai Ambani. In vocation, Khilnani chooses from religious leaders (Adi Shankara), spiritual guides (Vivekananda), kings (Akbar), warriors (Malik Ambar), social agitators (Jyotirao Phule), politicians (Indira Gandhi), scholars (Srinivasa Ramanujan), entrepreneurs (Chidambaram Pillai), writers (Iqbal), and artists (Amrita Sher-Gil), among other professions. In space, he chooses people from the Tamil south (Rajaraja Chola), the Bengal east (Tagore), the Maharashtra west (Shivaji), the Kashmir north (Sheikh Abdullah), and places in between. He chooses from Brahmins (Rammohun Roy), Dalits (Ambedkar), Sikhs (Guru Nanak), Buddhists (Ashoka), Jains (Mahavira), Parsis (Jamsetji Tata), Sunnis (Kabir), Shias (Jinnah), and Sufis (Amir Khusrau). There are even a couple British (William Jones and Annie Besant), who “went native” tossed into the mix. The vast variety of India is given its full life. This method shows the breath and depth of history on the subcontinent. By choosing figures both well-known and obscure Khilnani exposes the reader to tasty nuggets on every page. In detailing each individual life he reveals the character of the whole country from which they all sprang. It is this diversity that makes India such a magical place. As the painter M.F. Husain opined, while in self-imposed exile after death threats made against him by Hindu nationalists, “a liberal tolerance of a different point of view causes no damage. It means only a greater self restraint. Diversity in expression of views whether in writings, paintings or visual media encourages debate. A debate should never be shut out. “I am right” does not necessarily imply “You are wrong.” Our culture breeds tolerance- both in thought and in actions. I have penned down this judgement with the fervent hope that it is a prologue to a broader thinking and greater tolerance.”
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