Project Summary
This project is hosted by: Institute of Commonwealth Studies
- Research interests:
- Colonies & Colonization, emigration & immigration, Contemporary History, Political Institutions
- Regions:
- Asia, Asia
- Project period:
- 21-Nov-2019 - 20-Nov-2022
- Project categories:
- Fellowship grant
- Project summary:
On 15th August 1947, nationalist politicians took power in British India. But in the Princely States ruled by nominally sovereign Maharajas, where Praja Mandals (People’s Associations) substituted for political parties, constitutional negotiations extended well into the 1950s.
In these negotiations, and the flexible institutional structures they led to - such as double member parliamentary constituencies - Praja Mandals were crucial players. Independence and the integration of the states was not only negotiated by the British, the Princes and the nationalist politicians - but also by the public figures within those states.This project explores the constitution of such associations and their important role in the dissolution of princely rule and transition to democratic politics. It will trace Indian nationalism beyond responses to colonial rule and use unprecedented access to private papers to radically revise traditional accounts of decolonisation, imperialism and nationalism in South Asia.
Management Details
Lead researcher & project contact:
| Name | Position | Institute | Organisation | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Tripurdaman Singh | Institute of Commonwealth Studies | School of Advanced Study, University of London | tripurdaman.singh@sas.ac.uk |
Funding:
| Funder | Grant type | Award |
|---|---|---|
| The British Academy | Postdoctoral Fellowship | £345,752.84 |