In 1947 India came far closer to balkanization than we realize: Josy Joseph, Author, Birth of a Nation: The Twenty-One Days That Made India, to Karan Thapar for The Wire.

.......................................

How close did India come to balkanization in 1947? A recent book, based on previously unseen documents from the archives of India, suggests that the last 21 days before independence were critical. During that period several states like Travancore, Hyderabad, Kashmir, Jodhpur, Bhopal, Junagadh and Indore sought ways of becoming independent or, even, acceding to Pakistan. The book is called ‘Birth of a Nation: The Twenty-One Days That Made India’. It’s author Josy Joseph is my guest.