How India Became Democratic

Ornit Shani

This book provides an account of the preparation of electoral rolls in India. Indians became voters before they were citizens: by the time the Constitution was enforced in 1950, the systems of universal franchise and electoral democracy were already in place. Drawing on extensive archival materials, Shani explores the making of democratic citizenship as Indians struggled for their voting rights.

Penguin India, 304 pages, Rs 599