Routledge Revivals: The True India (1939)

First published in 1939, this book sets out to refute some of the 'unjust charges laid at India's door' and correct the 'false impressions' that prevailed at the time. The author argues that the distorted view of the social conditions in India in the contemporary press and literature were detrimental to the relationships between East and West. Attempting to give a picture of the true state of affairs, they show that Hinduism was reforming from within and that it was unjust to still equate it with earlier periods. The Depressed classes, women's rights, child marriage, Caste and Kalighat are all examined in detail. The book will be interest to students of colonial India and social history.

C.F. Andrews

Preface; Introduction; 1. The Accusation 2. Glaring Misstatements 3. The National Awakening 4. The New Spirit 5. Village India 6. Social Restraint 7. The Joint Family 8. Caste in India 9. Marriage and Caste 10. Child Marriage 11. Women's Rights 12. The Depressed Classes 13. The Poverty of India 14. The Problem of Population 15. Kalighat 16. Hinduism as a Religion 17. The Hindu-Muslim Question 18. India Character 19. The Unity of India 20. The Two Civilizations; Appendices; I. Tagore's Letter II. A Letter to The Times III. The Slaves of the Gods; Index