The second chapter of The Discovery of India is now live on our YouTube audio podcast! Titled "Badenweiler, Lausanne", this deeply personal chapter brings us closer to Jawaharlal Nehru—not as a statesman, but as a husband, a father, and a human being grappling with love, loss, and loneliness.
📍 In this chapter, Nehru reflects on:
💔 Kamala – A tender and moving portrait of Kamala Nehru’s strength and fragility.
💍 Our Marriage and After – A heartfelt account of their life together.
🤝 The Problem of Human Relationships – Philosophical musings on connection and emotional solitude.
🎄 Christmas 1935 – A bittersweet memory during Kamala’s illness.
🕊️ Death – The quiet devastation of personal loss.
🌍 Mussolini, Return – A brief return to political events and the changing world.
🎙️ Tune in to hear Nehru's words as he invites us into one of the most intimate chapters of his life.
Let us know your thoughts and reflections in the comments 💬
#TheDiscoveryOfIndia #JawaharlalNehru #Podcast #HistoryPodcast #KamalaNehru #IndianHistory #LettersFromNehru
Nehru represented the Indian National Congress at the 1927 Congress of Oppressed Nationalities in Brussels. This Congress sought solidarity among nations oppressed by imperialism, fostering collaboration with leftist labor movements. Prominent figures, including George Lansbury and Einstein, were involved, though tensions arose over Communist influences. Nehru reflects on the challenges of balancing ideologies within the League Against Imperialism, which formed at the Congress. Despite disagreements, the experience deepened his understanding of global anti-imperialist struggles and introduced him to Soviet developments, which intrigued but did not fully convince his constitutionally minded father. The chapter underscores Nehru's evolving political perspective amid international activism.
CHAPTER: 24 RETURN TO INDIA AND PLUNGE BACK INTO POLITICS
Nehru's return to India marked a renewed engagement with politics, driven by an expanded worldview and an evolving vision of freedom. While still committed to political independence, he now recognized the need for social and economic reforms, advocating for a socialist framework. His resolutions at the Madras Congress, including one on complete independence, received widespread support, though their true implications were not fully grasped. Nehru also sought to influence labor movements and connect with rural India, but political obligations pulled him back into Congress leadership. The chapter highlights several pivotal events in India’s freedom struggle during 1928. The period was marked by significant shifts in India’s political landscape, with a growing labor movement and rising tensions between moderates and radicals. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led the Bardoli Satyagraha, a significant peasant uprising against increased revenue demands, symbolizing hope for the Indian peasantry. Across India, there was a rise in youth movements, reflecting growing revolutionary fervor. Simon Commission was shown black flags everywhere, and the All-Parties Conference was convened, producing the Nehru Report despite communal tensions. The narrative turns somber with the brutal assault on Lala Lajpat Rai during a peaceful protest, leading to his death and fueling national outrage. This event catalyzed Bhagat Singh's rise as a revolutionary symbol, embodying the nation’s defiance against colonial oppression.
PDF The Discovery of India:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15PRsC2EXunggQ4KYWdpBzyoHFrD8MSyn/view?usp=sharing
Introduction to The Discovery of India
Jawaharlal Nehru’s The Discovery of India is a seminal work that blends history, philosophy, and personal reflection. Written during his imprisonment in 1942–1946 at Ahmednagar Fort, the book is both an exploration of India’s rich past and a meditation on its future. Nehru traces the subcontinent’s journey from ancient civilization to British rule, weaving in insights on culture, religion, and political thought.
More than a historical account, The Discovery of India reflects Nehru’s vision of a modern, independent nation. His eloquent prose and analytical depth make the book a timeless work, offering readers a profound understanding of India's identity and its place in the world.
Dedication: 00:25
Preface to the First Edition 00:35
Chapter 1: Ahmadnagar Fort 03:59
1.1 Twenty Months 03:59
1.2 Famine 07:02
1.3 The War for Democracy 10:45
1.4 Time in Prison: The Urge to Action 16:11
1.5 The Past in its Relation to the Present 22:33
1.6 Life's Philosophy 27:33
1.7 The Burden of the Past 50:08
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Between 1926–27, Nehru spent time in Europe, mainly in Switzerland for his wife's treatment. He observed European politics, met Indian exiles, and engaged with thinkers and revolutionaries, gaining insight into global ideologies and the struggles of Indian nationalists abroad.
Chapter 22: Controversies in India
Nehru reflects on rising communalism and class tensions in mid-1920s India. He critiques the conservative Nationalist Party and highlights the destructive role of religious divisions in politics. The assassination of Swami Shraddhanand symbolizes the deepening communal crisis.
