Hope ‘Rebels Against the Raj’ is read by Indians of all political persuasions: Ramachandra Guha.

 

Author and historian Ramachandra Guha's new book is a group portrait of seven foreigners -- four British, two American, and one Irish -- who fought for India's independence from British colonial rule.

His latest book Rebels Against the Raj: Western Fighters for India’s Freedom, including chapters on Annie Besant and Madeline Slade, is meant as a work of historical scholarship not political advocacy, says historian-author Ramachandra Guha who hopes it will be read by Indians of all persuasions.

The book is a group portrait of seven foreigners — four British, two American, and one Irish — who fought for India’s independence from British colonial rule and did pioneering work in across several fields, including journalism, social reform, education, and emancipation of women.

The eclectic list of seven well-known and lesser-known personalities comprises Annie Besant, BG Horniman, Philip Spratt, Richard Ralph Keithahn, Samuel (later Satyanand) Stokes, Madeline Slade (later Mira Behn), and Catherine Mary Heilemann (later Sarala Behn).

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