How has the post-1947 Indian state managed the persistent internal pressures threatening its national integrity? M. J. Akbar, a veteran journalist and political commentator, examines the structural and social fissures that have defined India's political landscape since independence. By synthesizing historical events with contemporary political analysis, the author argues that the nation's unity is a fragile construct constantly tested by regional, religious, and political volatility.

Critics and scholars often cite this work as a significant journalistic account of India's internal political struggles during the late 20th century. Readers frequently note the accessible yet dense prose style that balances historical narrative with sharp political observation.