Catagory: History

One hundred years ago, a powerful movement was taking root in southern India, and through its radical trajectory, building the future for true Indian equality. In the princely state of Travancore in what is today southern Kerala, a protest to challenge a ban that prevented the people of oppressed castes from using the roads around Vaikom Mahadeva temple had mobilised thousands. Gaining momentum from leaders such as TK Madhavan, Periyar EV Ramasamy and Mahatma Gandhi, the dramatic yet sustained protests ultimately led to several roads being opened to all castes.

The gains from Vaikom in part inspired the birth of the Self-Respect Movement, an indigenous socio-political movement that attacked caste hierarchy within temples. As the movement marks a hundred years, Manuraj Shunmugasundaram explains how an agitation for equal access to roads has led to, among other reforms, state legislation enabling the appointment of priests from all castes. Unpacking Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar’s brilliant drafting of social reform into the Constitution, the author argues that intra-religious equality is Indian secularism.

Combined with the analysis on the role of constitutional courts in resolving disputes between temple entry and religious freedoms, The People’s Sanctum traces the important and impactful changes to the socio-religious fabric of the country over the last century.

‘Excellent’ Timothy Snyder
‘Definitive’ Jason Stanley
‘Masterful and chilling’ Paul Mason
‘A distress signal … Read this book’ Rutger Bregman

Fascism is back. This time no swastikas, Nazi flags, or deadly bureaucracy, but MAGA hats, right-wing extremist memes, and a triumphant fist held high. For the first time in modern history, far right parties in some European countries have won a larger share of the votes than the Conservatives and the Social Democrats.

Fascism hollows out democracies from within. It starts with language, not tanks. With democratic elections, not a coup.

But how do fascists mobilise citizens? How has fascism become normalised in Europe again? And how do we stop it?

Moreso now than ever before, there exists a great deal of curiosity about the Air Force in the minds of common Indians—people who are fascinated by the glamour of the IAF, its aircrafts, and the men who fly them. This is especially true after the pivotal role of the IAF in the high-stakes Operation Sindoor.

In the follow up to the widely successfully first book, Air Warriors 2, relays untold stories of unimaginable feats of bravery, of boldness, of fearlessness in the face of peril—set against the backdrop of the day-to-day operations of the Indian Air Force. Deeply researched and narrated in simple, easy language with technical terms reduced to a bare minimum, Air Warriors 2 attempts to satisfy the common man’s curiosity about the Air Force and its courageous officers.

Much like Air Warriors, the true stories in this book seek to inspire, enthrall and fascinate all those who read them.