Book Description

This book is written to get an overall idea of “dynastic politics” in India. It is always kept in mind that a citizen of India should know more about the politicians who are in the Government and form policies, etc. to take the country in the proper direction, at the same time the book should be interesting. Wherever possible, family trees are shown as well as the assets of our politicians. It was natural to start with the Nehru Gandhi family, being one of the largest and long-ruling families at the helm of all affairs. Then State-wise, the families are chosen and the account is presented. Since the volume is huge, this book is in two volumes. States are chosen alphabetically. So, even if the Nehru Gandhi family is in Volume 1, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, etc. are in Volume 2. Early rulers in Indian history used to handover the throne to their sons and then to the next generations for generations to come until some larger event upset the process, mostly conspiracies by persons like very close aides of the king or a revolt. Similar lines were followed even during our democracy passing on the rule to the next generation, which gave rise to dynastic rule. Indian politics has witnessed a large spectrum of politicians from various fields. Initially, it consisted mainly of leaders from the field of law. But now, we find that we have eminent personalities from the sports field, actors, actresses, superstars from the silver screen; the literary field is no exception; we have writers, poets, and so on; economists find a special place in the political arena; politics does not shun even criminals or few dacoits who then turned to politics after their surrender. Businessmen, lings or we can say princes from princely states as Britishers decided to call them are also found here. We have the learned people in politics as well as the illiterate people (angutha chhaap) who learnt to sign only after assuming office on getting elected.