History of India VIII (c. 1857–1950) by Dr. Ebrahim Ali Mondal and Dr. Sanjay Sen is a comprehensive and analytically rich textbook designed according to the CBCS syllabus for B.A. 6th Semester History Honours students across Indian universities. Published by Mahaveer Publications, this book offers a clear understanding of India’s transformative journey from the Revolt of 1857 to the early decades of Independence.

The book covers major political, economic, and social developments that shaped modern India. Beginning with the aftermath of the 1857 uprising, it explores the consolidation of British rule, the emergence and growth of Indian nationalism, the freedom struggle, constitutional developments, partition, and the formation of the Indian Republic in 1950.

UNIT I

Culture Changes and Social & Religious Reform Movements**

1.01 The Advent of Printing and Its Implications

How printing shaped modern consciousness, education, communication, and reform.

1.02 Reform and Revival

• Brahmo Samaj

• Prarthana Samaj

• Ramakrishna and Vivekananda

• Arya Samaj

1.02.01 Causes of socio-religious reform movements
1.02.02 Common characteristics of reform movements
1.02.03 Impact of reform movements

1.03 Wahabi, Deoband, Aligarh & Singh Sabha Movements

• Wahabi Movement

• Deoband Movement

• Aligarh Movement

• Singh Sabha Movement

1.04 Debates around Gender

Issues of women’s rights, social customs, and reformist discourse.

1.05 Religious & Linguistic Identities

• Religious Identities

• Linguistic Identities

1.06 Caste: Sanskritisation & Anti-Brahmanical Trends

**UNIT II

Nationalism: Trends up to 1919**

2.01 Political Ideology and Organizations

Formation and growth of the Indian National Congress (INC).

2.02 Moderates and Extremists

2.02.01 Moderates
2.02.02 Extremism

2.03 Partition of Bengal & Swadeshi Movement

2.04 Revolutionary Extremism

Secret societies, ideas of armed resistance, and nationalist youth movements.

**UNIT III

Gandhian Nationalism After 1919: Ideas and Movements**

3.01 Mahatma Gandhi: His Thoughts and Methods

3.02 Impact of First World War, Rowlatt Act & Jallianwala Bagh

Rise of mass nationalism and Satyagraha.

3.03 Non-Cooperation & Civil Disobedience

3.03.01 Non-Cooperation Movement
3.03.02 Civil Disobedience Movement

3.04 1935 Act, Provincial Autonomy, Quit India & INA

3.04.01 Government of India Act 1935
3.04.02 Provincial Autonomy
3.04.03 Quit India & INA

3.05 Nationalism & Culture

• Nationalism and culture

• Literature, art, and national identity

**UNIT IV

Nationalism and Social Groups: Interfaces**

Explores how nationalism interacted with different social classes and groups.

4.01 Landlord, Left Wing, Peasant, Middle Class, Tribal, Labour & Dalit Movements

• Landlords

• Left-wing movements

• Peasants

• Middle class

• Tribal movements

• Labour / Workers movements

• Dalits

4.02 Princely India: States People Movements

• Nature of princely states

• People’s movements for reforms, rights, and autonomy

4.03 Ambedkar & Anti-Untouchability Movements

4.04 Women & Freedom Movement

4.05 Business Groups & Nationalist Politics

**UNIT V

Independence and Partition**

5.01 Communalism: Ideologies and Practices

• RSS

• Hindu Mahasabha

• Muslim League

5.02 Negotiations for Independence & Partition

• Negotiations for Independence

• Partition & Partition Riots

5.03 Making of the Constitution

Constitutional debates, committees, and framing process.

5.04 Integration of Princely States

5.05 Land Reform & Beginnings of Planning

• Land reforms

• Early planning initiatives in independent India