Jugalbandi: Bhajpa Modi Yug Se Pahale traces the making of Hindu nationalism and the Bharatiya Janata Party, offering readers a concise, nuanced map from the 1920s to the BJP’s first national government. Aimed at adults and students curious about modern Indian politics and history, this book pairs rigorous research with a readable, thoughtful voice to illuminate why Indian politics unfolds as it does today.
Vinay Sitapati grounds the narrative in a wealth of sources—private papers, party documents, newspapers, and more than two hundred interviews—to reveal the backstory of Modi-era politics. Jugalbandi follows the six-decade partnership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani, whose fraternal bond and professional synergy kept the BJP united long before Narendra Modi rose to power. This is a portrait of an ideology in motion, where personal loyalty, strategic thinking, and shared beliefs collectively steered a major political force.
Structured as a chronological journey, the book moves from the genesis of Hindu nationalism to the birth of the BJP in 1980 and onward to its early national government, weaving in a diverse cast—from the warden’s wife who helped Vajpayee’s path to a major funder connected to Pakistan’s founder’s grandson. The result is a nuanced, engaging examination of how leadership, ideology, and circumstance intertwine to shape a nation’s political trajectory.
- Key content: a comprehensive history of Hindu nationalism and the BJP from the 1920s to 2004
- Intimate portraits: Vajpayee and Advani through six decades of partnership
- Source-backed storytelling: private papers, party documents, newspapers, and 200+ interviews
- Contextual depth: a cast of figures and the dynamics behind the movement’s evolution
- Accessible narrative: clear explanations that connect ideology to policy and power
After finishing Jugalbandi, readers gain a deeper understanding of the forces shaping Modi-era politics and the long arc of the BJP. The book invites reflection on how personal loyalties and ideological commitments influence public life, leaving readers with a nuanced view of Indian politics and a lasting appreciation for the complexity of leadership and change.
