CHINGARI

M.J. Akbar embarks on a historical whodunnit to trace the journey of an idea and the events people circumstances and mindset that divided India. The investigation spans a thousand years and features an extraordinary cast: visionaries opportunists statesmen tyrants plunderers generals and an unusual collection of theologians beginning with Shah Waliullah who created a 'theory of distance' to protect 'Islamic identity' from Hindus and Hinduism. Akbar brings an impressive array of research perception and analysis to solve this puzzle writing the story in a fluent engaging style that makes a difficult subject deceptively accessible. There could be no better guide to the subcontinent's past and a glimpse into its future.