This course is designed to provide a critical introduction to the political, economic, social and cultural history of India from the assumption of direct rule by the Crown to independence. The module follows a broadly chronological framework along major themes which include - the consolidation of British rule after 1857; rebellion and resistance by Indians including subordinated groups; the emergence of the colonial economy; changes in the role and status of women; socio-religious and revivalist movements; the nationalist movement; the growth of communal identities and partition. The study of the Indian economy, politics and society will be useful for students planning an in-depth study of the sub-continent in their final year. No prior knowledge of the subject is assumed.

 Students who take this module will be able to:

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of the changes that took place in colonial Indian politics, economy and society.
• critically assess the different approaches to the study of the Indian past and appreciate the importance of an India-centred approach.
• gain new insights from the history of subordinated groups including women, tribals and peasants as well as the history of minority religious groups such as Muslims.
• demonstrate the ability to analyse the significance of events at an All-India level as well as understand the importance of regional differences.
• articulate and present arguments succinctly and with clarity in several non-assessed and assessed essays as well as in examination answers.

A range of teaching methods will be used in each of the sessions of the course, comprising a combination of lectures and seminar discussion of major issues. The syllabus is divided into a series of major course themes, then sub-divided into principal topics for the study of each theme.

Lectures:
The aim of the lectures is to provide a brief introduction to a particular topic, establishing the salient features of major course themes, identifying key issues and providing historiographical guidance. The lectures aim to provide a basic framework for understanding and should be thought of as useful starting points for further discussion and individual study. Where appropriate, handouts and other materials may be distributed to reinforce the material discussed.

Seminars:
The primary aim of seminars will be to generate debate and discussion amongst course participants. Seminars for each of the course topics will provide an opportunity for students to analyse and further discuss key issues and topics relating to lectures.

Students will extend their ability to:

• communicate ideas and arguments effectively, whether in class discussion or in written form, in an accurate, succinct and lucid manner.
• formulate and justify arguments and conclusions about a range of issues, and present appropriate supporting evidence
• modify as well as to defend their own position.
• think critically and challenge assumptions about Indian history and politics
• use a range of information technology resources to assist with information retrieval and assignment presentation.
• Effective time management skills and an ability to independently organise their own study methods and workload.
• work effectively with others as part of a team or group in seminar or tutorial discussions.   

Students will be assessed by means of a combination of one 1000 word assessed essay [15%], one 2000 word assessed essay [35%] and one two-hour unseen written examination paper in which the student will answer two questions [50%].

Course assignments:

1. Assessed Essay 1 will contribute 15% of the final mark for the module. It is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to review evidence, draw appropriate conclusions from it and employ the formal conventions of scholarly presentation. It must be no longer than 1,000 words (excluding empirical appendices and references).
2. Assessed Essay 2 will contribute 35% of the final mark for the module. It is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to review evidence, draw appropriate conclusions from it and employ the formal conventions of scholarly presentation. It must be no longer than 2,000 words (excluding empirical appendices and references).
3. The Examination will take place during the second assessment period [May/June] and will consist of an unseen two hour paper that will contribute the remaining 50% of the final mark for this module. Students must write 2 answers in total.

4. The usual provisions for reassessment are made in this respect. Individual cases will be decided by the Examination Board of the History Board of Studies. Reassessment generally will take the form of a reassessment of the failed examination via a resit paper in the August Resit Examination Period.

1. ·         Introduction to Indian history through the centuries

   ·         Film Workshop: The idea of Empire

   ·         Key terms and concepts in Indian history

   ·         Revolt of 1857 (1): Causes & Course of Events      

   ·         Revolt of 1857 (2): Nature and Consequences

   ·         Origins and Nature of the 1857 Revolt

   ·         Consolidation of British Rule, 1857-1914

   ·         British policy after Mutiny, 1857-1914

   ·         Indian Society and British rule

   ·         Impact of Colonialism on Indian Economy

   ·         Social change and social reform

   ·         Film Workshop: 1857

   ·         Economic Nationalism & impact of Colonialism

   ·         Women in colonial India

   ·         Position of women in modern India

   ·         Emergence of Indian Nationalism

   ·         The Early Congress

   ·         Film Workshop: Amritsar 1919

   ·         Gandhi’s Rise to Power

   ·         Gandhi and Mass Nationalism

   ·         The Emergence of the Mahatma

   ·         Film Workshop: Mahatma Gandhi

   ·         Non-cooperation and Civil Disobedience

   ·         Partition of India

   ·        Summing Up

The prescribed texts are:

Judith Brown,  Modern India: The Origins of an Asian Democracy, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1985)

OR

Sekhar Bandopadhyay, From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India, (Hyderabad: Orient Longman, 2004)

The books mentioned above provide a broad survey of modern Indian history. No single textbook on Indian history covers evenly all the topics that receive attention in this module. During the course of the year, you should be consulting articles and other books given in individual reading lists for different topics. 

There are other good textbooks which can also be accessed for succinct summaries of historical debates and on various aspects of Indian social, economic, political and cultural history. They are:

Bipan Chandra, (et al), India's Struggle for Independence, (Penguin, 1989) (as indicated in the title this book covers the nationalist period only and gives elite history an exhaustive treatment).

Crispin Bates Subalterns and the Raj, (Anthem, 2008), good for subaltern histories

H. Kulke & D. Rothermund,    A History of India, (London and New York, Routledge, 1992) (very broad survey from ancient to modern Indian periods of history).

Sumit Sarkar, Modern India, 1885-1947, (London, Macmillan, 1985) (a detailed study of specific subaltern movements, nothing on women and gender).

Metcalf & Metcalf  A Concise History of India, (Cambridge, CUP), £12. (good overview)

Burton Stein, History of India, (London, Blackwell, 1997) (in-depth, analytical and erudite, although limited topics).

Stanley Wolpert, A New History of India, (Oxford, O.U.P., 1997) (Chapters 14 to 23 treat the topics of Indian modernisation well, with 2 chapters on the impact of the world wars on the Indian economy)

Peter Robb,  A History of India, (New York, Palgrave, 2002). (Brief but good for modern period of Indian history especially on the ‘economy’).