Srinath Raghavan’s new book, Indira Gandhi and the Years That Transformed India, provides a thoughtful and detailed examination of one of India’s most powerful and controversial leaders. Covering the period from 1966 to 1984, this book takes readers through what Raghavan calls India’s “long 1970s” a time of major political, economic, and social changes.
The book is more than just a biography. It’s about how Indira Gandhi shaped the direction of Indian politics through bold and sometimes risky decisions. Raghavan introduces the term “Caesarism” to explain her leadership style, which involves connecting directly with the public and centralising power, often bypassing party structures and institutions. This was especially important after the Congress Party’s poor performance in the 1967 elections, which led Gandhi to split the party and take full control.
From the victory in the 1971 war with Pakistan to the controversial Emergency of 1975, Raghavan shows how Indira Gandhi’s instincts for power helped her rise—but also brought major challenges. He describes how she was not always a risk-taker, but someone with strong political timing and a sharp understanding of power dynamics. However, these strengths sometimes became her weaknesses, especially when dealing with sensitive regions such as Punjab, Assam, and Jammu and Kashmir.
One surprising aspect of the book is its examination of her economic policies. While Gandhi is often seen as a socialist, Raghavan argues that global crises during the 1970s pushed her towards pro-business, liberal economic strategies. This helped lay the groundwork for India’s economic liberalisation in the 1990s.
Raghavan also highlights the importance of the years Indira Gandhi spent out of power (1977–1980). Her political comeback during this time showed her resilience, but it also marked a shift toward more centralised control and increased reliance on her son Sanjay Gandhi.
This well-researched book is supported by new archival documents and paints a balanced picture of Gandhi, not as a hero or a villain, but as a complex leader shaped by her times.
For anyone interested in modern Indian history, leadership, or political evolution, Indira Gandhi and the Years That Transformed India is a must-read.
Indira Gandhi and the Years That Transformed India | Exploring Indira Gandhi’s Political Journey and the Shaping of Postcolonial India
Indira Gandhi’s ascent as prime minister of India in 1966 was entirely unforeseen. But she soon emerged as one of the most powerful political leaders of her times, who transformed the world’s largest democracy. She served as prime minister for a remarkable fifteen years, leaving behind a complex and deeply controversial legacy.
In this fascinating account, Srinath Raghavan tells the story of Indira Gandhi’s political career and the momentous changes that India experienced under her leadership. From her tentative start in high office to her remarkable electoral victories, the dark days of the Emergency of 1975–77, and her assassination at the hands of her bodyguards in 1984, Raghavan sheds new light on her politics and government, as well as on her adversaries and critics. He shows how the 1970s were the hinge on which the history of the country turned―and how Indira Gandhi transformed the new postcolonial nation into the India of today.