Modern India is the fruition of invaluable sacrifices and broad visions of several great men and women of India. These great personalities contributed immensely in every way possible—in ideas, in action, and in psychologically defeating the shrewd conspirators against India under British rule. Among these greats, Gandhi, Nehru, and Tagore have an importance that is conceded even by their most bitter critics. Some may find their ideas controversial, or not unanimously accepted, but those ideas were striking enough to provoke a response from others and have an impact on the masses.

This book is and endeavour to put together the life, thoughts, and achievements of the three illustrious personalities. Besides, brief sketches of other eminent personalities have been included—admittedly far from being exhaustive. These men and women have made noteworthy contributions to various phases of India’s freedom struggle as well as to various fields of socio-economic development. Since the ideas and achievements of these leaders are not to be found in any single source, multiple books and encyclopaedias have had to be consulted for the research.

Candidates of many competitive examinations, especially the UPSC Civil Services Examinations, both the Prelims and the Mains will find the book of much use. Besides, general readers would also find something interesting about these famous personalities.