An Argumentative Economist

This is a book on history, culture, economics, politics, gender issues, international relation, Tagore, Ray, Nuclear power... And anything which is related to INDIA.

But all the themes are somewhat pointing in a particular direction.

A direction which re-establishes that side of the image and identity of India which is lost in the ambiguity of Indian mysticism or the reduced view of chaotic diversity.

The book forces you to contemplate on that side of Indian identity which is neither perceived by the contemporary world nor India herself.
The core themes of this book are the Heterodoxy and Argumentative nature of Indian history and ideas. 

After the short discourse of Indian history, which is unique and beautiful( from Mahabharat to Meghdutam and from Ashoka to Akbar ), it moves on to currents issues and uses historical pieces of evidence wherever needed to prove the point.

The book's format of dealing with an issue is truly cogent. First, it broaches the presently accepted viewpoint, then it attacks it with logic and historical pieces of evidence and proves how it is logically flawed. This pattern follows through the whole book.

The issues tackled are urgent, relevant and engaging. 

Some can find the language of the book a bit complex, but I personally loved it, using precise words for a particular context leaving no place for ambiguity.

We must applaud the visionary nature of this book, it was published in 2006, the book puts special emphasis on the secular & pluralistic nature of Indian history and values and nullifies the notion of a uni culture or Hindutva ideology, which is a reduced view to perceive our culture.
Hail the noble-winning economist, who must have preconceived the rising of Hindutva nationalism which would come to mainstream sooner or later.

Sen also repudiates the propagandist burgeoning of Muslim animosity based on specially chosen historical episodes and anecdotes, and so he states "it would be as silly to deny the barbarities of the invasive history as it would be to see this savagery as the main historical feature of the Muslim presence in India"

He specifically dealt with Tagore and Satyajit Ray with a personal propensity. We really don't know much about Tagore, the only view we have is that of an eminent writer, but we don't understand his eminence, same goes with Ray.

One of another unique idea of this book is of Indian identity in the eyes of the outer world, how it manifested and why in a particular way.

The beauty of this highly engaging book lies in its rationality, it never tries to manipulate you, you might not agree with him in some places but you can never belie the reach of his reasons.

Read this book for understanding the kaleidoscope of subject and ideas which make the diverse, plural, secular and heterodox India and make you fall in love with her all over again.

- Ujjwal Narayan