History At The Crossroad : Investigating Partition Novels

The Present Volume is a study of the involvement of the Indian English novelists with history investigating Partition Novels. These novelists accepted the Partition as side issue in novels which pursued the policy of the Britisher's 'divide and rule' engulfing communal riots in India. It also discusses major aspects of novels based on the assumption that history – fiction connection is fascinating as well as significant for the readers. All the critical approaches are a reaction against something which went before. The first three chapters discuss methodological and historical issues related to the historical admixture representing hardship, the influence of Gandhi to the Partition and India's struggle for independence. The remaining chapters depict the gruesome scenes like hunger, abduction, rape, bloodshed, etc which were rampant in the post- war Period. It mentions writers like khushwant Singh, Manohar Malgonkar, Chaman Nahal, Bhabani Bhattacharya and Shashi Tharoor to illustrate the whole range of the cross sections of the society.   

CONTENTS

Preface

1. Introduction

2. Train to Pakistan : An Ominous Journey

3. A Bend in the Ganges : A View of the Beach

4. Azadi : The Lull

5. So Many Hungers! : Impeachment of Humanity

6. Riot : The Dreadful Nightmare

7. Conclusion

Select Bibliography

Index