History Today

Despite Britain’s commitment to appeasement, the 1939 Agreement of Mutual Assistance with Poland led London into the Second World War. What changed?

Paul Murphy on the Raj pioneers who set in train thoughts of conservation in independent India.

On the 50th anniversary of Indian independence, Alan Johnson reassesses Mountbatten's role in the process of partition, and his legacy.

Coming home to mother? Bhikhu Parekh on the impact the subcontinent’s peoples have had (and continue to have) in Britain itself.

Francis Robinson considers what the Muslims wanted - and what they got - out of the decision to divide the subcontinent on religious lines.

Tanika Sarkar examines the evolving position of women in India before 1947 and since independence.

David Washbrook on how the trauma of mutiny was catalyst to a new imperial vision - courtesy of skilful Victorian public relations for the subcontinent.

M. Naeem Qureshi on a remnant of empire which has moved beyond being a mere repository of the Raj.

Partha Mitter looks at how tensions and cultural interchange between Indians and Britons are conveyed in the imagery of the colonial period.