The Birth of Indian Liberalism: Mama Parmanand’s Letters to an Indian Raja

Discover the groundbreaking origins of Indian political thought and the forgotten roots of native liberalism with Rahul Sagar’s masterful volume, The Birth of Indian Liberalism!

About the Book: First published in 1891, Letters to an Indian Raja stands as the earliest work of political theory written and published in modern India. Addressed to the rulers of the Native States, this radical text argued that constitutional government, individual liberty, and social reform were not foreign impositions, but vital foundations for India’s moral and political regeneration. Its author, Narayan Mahadev Parmanand—a reclusive yet profoundly influential thinker revered by his peers as a "political rishi"—envisioned enlightened monarchs as key agents capable of liberating individuals from custom, hierarchy, and community, while resisting both colonial domination and princely despotism. Long lost to history, this rediscovered work overturns the persistent myth that Indian liberalism was merely derivative or conciliatory. Instead, it reveals a confident, original political tradition rooted entirely in Indian soil. In this landmark volume, acclaimed political theorist Rahul Sagar restores the text to its rightful place in intellectual history, pairing it with an incisive introduction that reconstructs Parmanand’s world and reshapes our understanding of India's intellectual past.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Landmark Intellectual History: Unearths and restores the earliest known work of modern Indian political theory, offering a fresh perspective on the nation's philosophical roots.

• Expertly Edited & Introduced: Features meticulous contextualization and a brilliant framing introduction by renowned political theorist Rahul Sagar.

• Challenges Conventional Narratives: Demonstrates that Indian liberalism was an indigenous, ambitious political project rather than a simple echo of British colonial thought.

• The Perfect Gift: An essential, intellectually enriching present for historians, political science scholars, researchers, and serious readers of Indian history and philosophy.