Keeping the Jewel in the Crown

Sparks off ideas and arguments in all directions' – John Hussey, author of Marlborough: The Hero of Blenheim 'A forceful and convincing critique of British hypocrisy which never lacks a cutting edge' – Paul Addison, author of Churchill: The Unexpected Hero In 1947, when India achieved independence, Britain portrayed the transfer of power as the outcome of decades, even centuries, of responsible planning – the honourable discharge of an historic responsibility. That view has never been seriously challenged in Britain. But this book shows that the official narrative is a travesty of what really happened. Drawing on the documentary evidence – letters, diaries, state papers – Walter Reid reveals how Britain selfishly deceived and prevaricated in order to arrest political progress in India for as long as possible – a shameful passage in British imperial policy which led to tragedy and untold suffering when independence finally became inevitable.