The title is misleading, for this is not a book about the ""people"" -- but about the whole pattern of Indian history, social, religious, industrial development prior to -- and following -- the coming of Europeans. A bitter indictment of British rule, charging that even the contributions made to education, communication, health, etc. were keyed to British needs. He traces the rise -- decline -- rise again of nationism, of the Congress; he feels that Gandhi represents a limited view, that all parties were agreed in turning down the Cripps' proposal and at one in demanding a National Government, and only the Princes feel British rule anything but bankrupt and incompetent. Outline of tasks facing Free India show awareness of problems involved.