History Books

Arts & Culture Culture, Arts, Literature & Linguistics
1

I am not sure if a similar thread has previously been opened.

Can anybody recommend any good history books detailing:

  1. Pakistani Politics 1900-present
  2. General history of India/Pakistan prior to partition
  3. India/Pakistan under British rule

There is one book that I have heard of but I am not sure what it is entitled. I was told it is called, “Sex and the Empire” but I can’t seem to find it anywhere. I was told it is about India during British rule and deals with themes of interracial relationships between Indian women and the Brits.

If anybody has any suggestions, please let me know. :slight_smile:

Thanks.

2

You can try "White Mughals" by William Dalrymple. (spelling of his surname may be wrong).

I'm reading it right now.. it's about the integration of Englishmen into Indian society, and includes interracial relationships.

3

Try "Pakistan In the Twentieth Century: A Political History" by Lawrence Ziring.

4

An excellent book on contemporary history of Pakistan - from 1950s to 1980s is "A Journey to disillusionment" by Sherbaz Khan Mazari.

As far as history of the Subcontinent goes, there are many books any will do. The one we read at school was by K Ali but cannot remember the name.

For the Pakistan movement try reading a book written by a foreigner as there is a lot of distortion of facts.

5

Hey Mehnaz

At the moment, we have three books at home on Pakistan's history. Two books are autobiographies of Ayub Khan, and Benazir Bhutto. Another is on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, I forgot the name of the author. I haven't yet read them myself, but I will in due time. I think it'd be interesting to read history thru the eyes of some well known people in the history of Pakistan.

6

I bought a book for one of my courses and ended up doing a totally different essay topic, so I never read it. But it's really good, according to my prof at least, it's called the Partition Omnibus, it's actually four books in one. If you want, I can lend it to you.

7

Sehar, I am always hesitant to read self-written books of such political and controversial figures as they tend to sugar coat their actions (and sometimes leave things out). They just don’t seem objective. Please do let me know how they are after you give them a read.

Speaking of Benazir, I’m glad Switzerland ordered that she return her stolen money back to Pakistan. :mad:

Mad Scientist, that book “White Mughals” definitely sounds interesting. I will check it out.

Hayaa, when I am done reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, I will contact you. :slight_smile:

8

Fret, Pakistani history written by an outsider…oooook :rolleyes:

9

An excellent book on the bhuttos is called "The Terrorist Prince" that I read a little while ago. I don't know how accurate it is but it is written by one of the founders of Al-Zulifkar and a great supporter of ZAB who fell out with Murtaza. A good read!!

10

whoops :blush:

11

You’ll be surprised how many “outsiders” are able to provide objective facts rather than those who are involved who tend to have blurred vision due to emotional attachments to their country. Not all people are like this though, but there is nothing wrong with keeping an open mind.

That is precisely the reason why I stated that I am not particularly interested in reading self-written biographies of people like Benazir who will simply sugarcoat their actions rather than providing objective facts.

12

Very true Mehnaz.