About the author Bipin Chandra was one of the most respected historians of our times. Between 2004 and 2012, he was the chairman of National Book Trust. Economic and political history of India was his area of specialization. He was also one of the leading authorities on Mahatma Gandhi. The author also remained the General President of National History Congress 1985. He was a professor at JNU, New Delhi and also taught at Hindu College. Some of his other works included The Rise and Growth of Economic Nationalism.