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Tuesday, August 12, 2025
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Book Excerpts

Advani’s wife told him she won’t marry him if he came wearing dhoti-kurta

Advani gained prominence in Jan Sangh politics because of his good command of English. He was, perhaps, the only senior party leader in those days who could expertly handle the English media.

Begram ivories – artistic marvels of ancient Afghanistan that travelled the Silk Road

Since their excavation, most of the Begram ivory statuettes have been housed in the National Museum of Afghanistan in Kabul. But many of these objects were lost, stolen or irreparably damaged in the civil war of 1992.

Story of Rukhmabai, the teen bride from colonial Bombay who picked prison over husband

From overcoming trials to inscribing her name in the annals of women's liberation, Rukhmabai's journey is marked by quiet, unyielding strength.

Hamas replaced stones, graffiti, and Molotov cocktails with guns. One man led it

In 'Son of Hamas', Mosab Hassan Yousef talks about how a Hamas activist finally had his fill of injustice and slowly got radicalised to leading the group's military wing.

Lajpat Rai shared Savarkar’s anxiety about Islam. But he didn’t see Muslims as anti-nationals

By revealing the complexities of Lajpat Rai’s thinking, 'Being Hindu Being Indian' provokes to think more deeply about broader questions relevant to present-day politics.

Pandit Jasraj refused to teach Shankar Mahadevan. He questioned the Grammy winner’s priorities

Drawing on many hundred hours of interviews with Shankar, 'The Musical Maverick' paints the complete picture of Shankar Mahadevan.

How a seductive yet modern twist on Lakshmi turned into India’s first beauty brand—Lakmé

‘Treasures of Lakshmi, edited by Namita Gokhale and Malashri Lal, examines the Goddess’ role in mythology, history, culture and social life.

How Ram Guha’s editor helped him capture rise and fall of India’s bilingual intellectuals

The 19th and 20th centuries saw thinkers like Lohia, Savarkar, Gandhi, Mahasweta Devi and Girish Karnad express themselves equally well in two or more languages, writes Ramachandra Guha in 'The Cooking of Books'.

Kamakhya corridor, Guinness book entry—how Himanta Sarma is fashioning Assam renaissance

In ‘Modi’s Northeast Story’, Tuhin A Sinha and Aditya Pittie have compiled a number of essays on the role of the Modi govt in the growth and development of the Northeast.

India recognised Mao’s China before UK, US. Nehru was keen to take the lead

In ‘Crosswinds’, Vijay Gokhale looks at India’s attempt to carve out a place for itself in the Indo-Pacific in the midst of the Cold War and the role China played in it.

On Camera

The speech PM Modi should deliver this Independence Day

For the last 11 years, Nehru has been constantly blocking my efforts and causing the fiascos that are my many yojanas and abhiyans. He is the reason most of my initiatives turn into disasters.

How mining, manufacturing & power sectors weighed on India’s industrial output since January 2024

India’s industrial output growth saw a 10-month low in June, with Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growing by mere 1.5% as against 1.9% in May 2025.

Can’t restrict ‘extent of induction’—why SC struck down gender quotas in Army’s JAG recruitment

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ruled that the Indian Army cannot cap the number of women in its Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch...

Modi’s ready to risk it all for farmers. Farm reform can answer Trump with new Green Revolution

Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.