Westland Books announces the release of Uprising: The Liberation of Dadra And Nagar Haveli by author Neelesh Kulkarni
Westland Books is pleased to announce the release of its upcoming release, Uprising: The Liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Neelesh Kulkarni. The book, an account of India’s independence from the Portuguese, has been pieced together through interviews with descendants of the participants (and a handful of participants themselves), newspaper archival records, letters and diary entries. The book will be officially launched on August 27, 2024 at the India International Centre in New Delhi, where the author will be in conversation with historian and author Swapna Liddle.
Uprising traces the lesser-known history of how civilians got together to fight against the Portuguese – among the first invaders of India – with the aid of celebrities like Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi and groups like the Azad Gomantak Dal and the RSS.
Speaking about the premise of the book, author Neelesh Kulkarni said, ‘This a real story about real heroism that I just chanced to uncover. As more and more layers of the magnificent story unravelled, I became increasingly obsessed with it and it transformed from merely being a story into being a mission. I knew I had to write the book so that every Indian would know about the courage, fortitude, integrity and selfless love for the motherland exhibited by these magnificent people.’
Speaking about the book, Karthika VK, Publisher, Westland Books said, ‘I think this is one of the most interesting interventions in Indian history, of citizens coming together to oust an oppressive power. Neelesh Kulkarni’s account of it captures all the different aspects of the struggle and reminds us, yet again, of the impact of ethical collective action against all odds.’
About the Book
In 1954, in the small town of Silvassa, wind blows through desolate streets. Doors are bolted for the first time, windows shuttered. The town is silent, except for the soft, persistent patter of August rain. The only movement is that of a group of outsiders, gathering stealthily around the barricaded Silvassa police post, their faces grim. A man raises his hand to signal the others—it is time.
A STORY OF SOLIDARITY, RESILIENCE AND FEARLESSNESS; A TESTAMENT OF PEOPLE WHO DEFY TYRANNY—AND MAKE HISTORY IN THE PROCESS.
Uprising chronicles a remarkable, yet often overlooked chapter of Indian history. A few years after the country became independent, ordinary civilians rose up against the extortionist and cruel colonial stragglers entrenched in the villages of Dadra and Nagar Haveli—the Portuguese. With the new Indian prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, unwilling to strain nascent diplomatic bonds, it was up to a few brave men and women to take matters into their own hands. The odds were not good: the Portuguese were armed to the teeth and outnumbered them heavily. It was an extraordinary coalition that took them on: Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi helped raise funds through a concert; volunteers from the Azad Gomantak Dal, the RSS and radical communists came together with the local tribal population to launch attacks in Silvassa, Naroli, Pipariya, and other places; even wealthy landowners were part of the struggle.
Through interviews with descendants of the participants (and a handful of participants themselves), newspaper archival records, letters and diary entries, Neelesh Kulkarni painstakingly puts together the pieces of this little-known history. An electrifying story emerges—the solidarity, resilience and fearlessness of a people who defy tyranny, and make history in the process.
About the Author
Neelesh Kulkarni is a management graduate, an entrepreneur, poet, theatre actor, voiceover artist, public speaking and creative writing coach. He has also been a cricket commentator.
He is the author of the non-fiction work, In the Footsteps of Rama (HarperCollins India) which has been adapted into a web series and has been translated into two languages so far, with four more in progress. His essay, ‘Vithoba of Pandharpur’ has been anthologised in Where the Gods Dwell: Thirteen Temples and Their (Hi)stories (Westland). He has also written a book for children, Open Sesame: Magic Tricks for Kids (Westland).