Mementoes

Upadhyay's diary is a one-of-its-kind cat-alogue of little-known facts. On June 28, Jinnah lost his carton of cigars. It was very humid on July 1. On July 15, a statement was issued to substitute the words 'Bharat', 'Hind' and 'Hindustan' with 'India' in the new constitution. On July 25, the poet Louis Macneice was included as part of the BBC team that would cover the transfer of power. On July 27, a nameplate which read 'M.A. Jinnah—Bar-at-Law' was quietly removed from the Bombay High Court. And on August 14, Gandhi refused a BBC interview with the words—"They must forget that I know English."

The book is illustrated with paper clippings, photos and copies of the personal papers of Gandhi and Jinnah, is based on the BBC Hindi service radio series, and enlivened with rare quotes. Mountbatten asks Gandhi on the accession of the princely states: "Would you woo a girl you wish to marry with a stick and expect her to accept?" Upadhyay's diary of destiny will appeal not only to the aficionados of the past but also to those who believe that the domain of history is not simply the Big Events.