On August 15, 1947, at the stroke of the midnight hour, India went from being the largest colony of the British Empire to the world’s largest democracy. Today India is a rising superpower with a global diaspora and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Its astonishingly diverse population, the largest of any country in the world, aligns along the complex and overlapping categories of religion, language, ethnicity, and caste. This presentation traces the remarkable transformations that have occurred in India’s politics and society in the eight decades since independence.

This is part of the Chautauqua on First Wednesdays history lecture series, which takes place at the Oswego Heritage House in Lake Oswego. This month’s presentation is in partnership with Lake Oswego Reads, an immersive program that encourages all members of the community to read the same book, discuss its message, and celebrate an atmosphere of learning among all age groups. The 2024 book selection is Honor by Thrity Umrigar.