This book has been designed for undergraduate students as well as those preparing for the Civil Services Examinations at both the central and state levels. It attempts to weave known facts of history with the unknown, and apart from political history places due emphasis on the socio-economic changes, administrative innovations, cultural ferments, and the trials and tribulations of nationalist movements. It also refers to the post-independence era, is adequately illustrated with maps, and contains a detailed chronology, biographical notes on distinguished personalities, a list of Congress sessions, names of Presidents and Prime Ministers of independent India, and has an exhaustive bibliography.