Ramachandra Guha is a historian based in Bengaluru. His books include India After Gandhi, A Corner of a Foreign Field, Environmentalism: A Global History, and Gandhi Before India. He tweets as @Ram_Guha
Articles by Ramachandra Guha
The Indian cricket tradition of seam and swing
When India played its first Test, at Lord’s in June 1932, our strike bowlers were the fast bowler Mohammad Nissar and that master of swing and seam, L Amar Singh. The back-up was provided by the medium-pacers Jehangir Khan and CK Nayudu.
Updated on Jul 05, 2014 10:18 PM IST
Those who keep the government honest
Parliament will, of course, retain its dominant place in Indian politics. One hopes that the parties in Opposition provide constructive criticism of government policies. But civil society must be alert as well. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Jun 22, 2014 09:36 AM IST
The forgotten Gujarati Prime Minister
During the election campaign, Narendra Modi said several times that he wished Vallabhbhai Patel had become India’s first Prime Minister. And he promised to build a ‘Statue of Unity’ in Patel’s memory that would be far grander than the Statue of Liberty itself.
Updated on Jun 07, 2014 11:51 PM IST
Jawaharlal Nehru: Hero of his age, outcast of ours
Only after the last member of his family has exited the stage of Indian politics might a judicious and credible appreciation of Nehru’s life and legacy finally become possible, writes Ramachandra Guha.
Updated on May 24, 2014 09:23 PM IST
None | Ramachandra Guha, New Delhi
Excessive love of one’s state is less harmful than that of one’s country
The currents of regional patriotism run deep in India. We are a land of many languages, each with rich literary tradition. Naturally, people tend to identify most closely with those who wrote, and wrote well, in their own language. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on May 11, 2014 01:25 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Ramachandra Guha
From Askot to Arakot: hills have tales to tell
The 2014 Askot-Arakot Abhiyan begins on Sunday, May 25. After a week apiece in Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts the marchers shall enter Garhwal. Several weeks later they will reach Arakot for their concluding meeting. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Apr 27, 2014 08:24 AM IST
Our leaders are not asking hard questions
Unlike Gandhi, Mr Modi and Mr Kejriwal are both excellent orators. One is powerful and eloquent; the other, mischievous and witty. However, one is yet to hear them ask hard questions of their countrymen, or, indeed, of themselves.
Updated on Apr 13, 2014 01:44 AM IST
Silver lining of 2014 elections: the professional as politician
The freedom movement was largely led by those who exchanged professional success for an uncertain life of struggle. With independence came the career politician, in quest of prestige and profit, Ramachandra Guha writes in a new HT column.
Updated on Mar 30, 2014 12:11 PM IST
Why India needs Gandhi, the champion of downtrodden
Sixty-five years after Gandhi’s death, should we still remember him? As amoral politicians stoke Hindu-Muslim violence in UP, as Dalits are attacked in Tamil Nadu for asking for rights guaranteed by the Constitution—the life and example of Gandhi remain compellingly relevant, writes Ramachandra Guha.
Updated on Oct 02, 2013 09:37 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Ramachandra Guha, New Delhi
A man for all seasons
In his last speech to the Constituent Assembly, BR Ambedkar warned against the deification of men in power. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Aug 15, 2013 09:48 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ramachandra Guha, New Delhi
Degrees of desperation
By converting a three-year bachelor's degree into a four-year programme, Delhi's premier centre of learning will only compromise a reputation that has taken generations to build. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on May 05, 2013 10:22 PM IST
What a tragic fall
The politics of emancipation was once the hallmark of leaders from Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Today this has given way to the politics of vengefulness and nepotism. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Sep 10, 2012 12:51 AM IST
None | Ramachandra Guha
India remains a work in progress
Discrimination against low castes, corruption in public institutions by government officials, and a growing trend towards women’s equality — India’s report card in its 65th year is a story of moderate achievement. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Aug 15, 2012 11:39 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Ramachandra Guha
Terminal damage
The liberalisation of the economy hasn’t improved our environmental situation. Instead, natural systems have continued to decline, while social conflicts have increased. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Jul 23, 2012 11:50 PM IST
None | Ramachandra Guha
Change is a constant
The defeat of the Taliban had set in motion processes that could make women less oppressed and more equal. Those advocating a deal with them tend to deny that. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Jun 12, 2012 11:42 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ramachandra Guha
In Hume's footsteps
Historian Peter Heehs is part of a long list of foreigners who've made a signal contribution to India. A favourable review of his visa extension will benefit the nation, Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Apr 02, 2012 09:49 PM IST
None | Ramachandra Guha
Letting Azad win
For 10 years, there’s been no serious Hindu-Muslim riots in India. It’s time to remove artificial ‘pro-secular’ schemes that communalise the atmosphere. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Jul 23, 2012 11:56 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ramachandra Guha
The Moodbidri tales
The people of an ancient temple town in Karnataka are opposing a new highway because they feel it will damage the sanctity of the place. But will New Delhi listen? Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Mar 02, 2012 02:54 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Ramachandra Guha
Let us live in hope
Two forms of democracy exist in India: constitutional and populist. There are deficiencies in both, since netas don't honour their duties and activists lack civility, Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Jan 10, 2012 07:39 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Ramachandra Guha
In the year and now
In 2012, Indian democracy could pull itself together more than it had done so far. What we need is a government that is on top of things and a strong Opposition. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Dec 23, 2011 11:51 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Ramachandra Guha
Read the fine print
Scholars may have won the battle against the spineless publisher of AK Ramanujan's essay, but any complacency is unwarranted, writes Ramachandra Guha.
Updated on Dec 05, 2011 09:51 PM IST
None | Ramachandra Guha
Let's streamline the State
India's civil service is not as professional as Jairam Ramesh thinks. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Nov 11, 2011 01:19 AM IST
None | Ramachandra Guha
Rejig the steel frame
The best way to get the best people in the most crucial jobs in the government is to expand the pool of credible applicants. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Nov 06, 2011 10:30 PM IST
None | Ramachandra Guha
In an antique land
Afghanistan is a gorgeous country with gorgeous people. Affectionate towards India, its people deserve better luck and less malign neighbours. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Sep 29, 2011 11:49 PM IST
None | Ramachandra Guha
A differential calculus
There are pivotal differences between Jayaprakash Narayan's and Anna Hazare's movements. As there are between Indira Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, writes Ramachandra Guha.
Updated on Aug 23, 2011 08:52 PM IST
None | Ramachandra Guha
Lost in the woods
As we mark our Independence Day, most Indians don’t recognise the fact that tribals have gained least and lost most from India being a free and democratic country. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Aug 15, 2011 01:37 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Ramachandra Guha
People vs the people
The Supreme Court order against the Salwa Judum’s vigilantism in Chhattisgarh must be read by all, especially government officials. Ramachandra Guha writes.
Updated on Jul 11, 2011 01:34 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Ramachandra Guha
Performance artists
Today’s gurus don’t respect the close link between spirituality and solitude. They occupy a crucial place in the history of publicity, writes Ramachandra Guha.
Updated on Nov 20, 2011 11:42 AM IST
None | Ramachandra Guha
Family comes later
There are indications that voters now prefer politicians who don’t promote dynastic politics. But this trend is still far from being entrenched, writes Ramachandra Guha.
Updated on Nov 20, 2011 11:26 AM IST
None | Ramachandra Guha
Experiments with facts
The howling reactions to Joseph Lelyveld’s book on Gandhi has questioned the maturity of Indian nationalism and the credibility of our democracy, writes Ramachandra Guha.
Updated on Oct 10, 2011 12:11 PM IST
None | Ramachandra Guha