HIS 258 - Topic: India’s Road to Independence (1)

In 1945, India and Britain faced a critical juncture: the departure of British colonial government, leaving India to self-government. But what would that independence mean? Who would to take power? How could the needs of India’s different population groups - Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Untouchables -be balanced? Could India even be governed as one nation? This course explores the critical moment of India’s independence and partition through readings and intensive simulation. Readings will include background on India’s history and the writings of notable Indian leaders, including M. Gandhi, J. Nehru, and M. A. Jinnah. Students have the opportunity to develop a better solution than the historical outcome… if they can. The course may include other scenarios as well, if time permits.
(Humanities)