Taposhi’s real-life, sensitive use of colours are easy on the eyes; there is a dream-like quality in the illustrations that also perhaps reflects Amol’s inner world which keeps harping on that one dream—of becoming one with his kind.
To some such a clinical approach may appear the best method to navigate their way through Britain’s culture wars involving Brexit, immigration, and racism, etc. But the point also is that the debate about Empire in Britain today is not so much about the past as it is about contemporary issues that face the country, and it is often not easy to be clinical about them—especially for those from former British colonies living in Britain today.
Pattanaik interprets a particular Harappan seal as a woman trying to prevent warriors from attacking each other, and assumes that it is a depiction of a myth which indicates a lack of drive for violence. And since myths are supposed to unravel the deep structures of our minds, he argues that Indians were peace loving while violence was the fate of Egyptians and Mesopotamians! Historians are wary of such generalizations.
The Movement gradually acquired political flavour, initially attempting to develop a collective Oraon identity, and later, anti-British and anti-missionary stances and participation. The Tana Bhagat Movement has many facets. It can be read as ‘peasant consciousness’ (Singh, 1988), tribal insurgent consciousness marked by economic reasons (Chaudhury, 1989), a class struggle and ongoing power dispute between landlords and begari workers (Mohaptra, 1991)
The author masterfully brings the key players of India’s unification to life, allowing us to see beyond their titles and into their fears and motivations. Rather than painting the rajas as mere obstacles, we feel their deep sense of betrayal by the British and growing distrust of Congress—emotions that simmer beneath their political decisions.
The book is a wonderful introduction to the lives of various freedom fighters, especially at a time when the ideas of freedom and independence are much debated. Many of them have passed away owing to natural causes in the last few years; many living into their late nineties and some even past hundred