The Problem of Minorities

First published in 1939, The Problem of Minorities: Or Communal Representation in India by K. B. Krishna, is a seminal exploration of the complex dynamics of communal representation in colonial India. The book delves into the origins, evolution, and implications of British policies that institutionalized communal divisions, particularly between Hindus and Muslims. Divided into five parts, it examines the historical roots of the problem, tracing the emergence of professional, landed, and mercantile classes under British rule and the development of communal representation from 1909 to 1935. Krishna critically analyzes key events like the Minto-Morley Reforms, the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, the Communal Award, and the Poona Pact, while drawing parallels with similar policies in Ceylon, Kenya, and Palestine. The book also scrutinizes the socio-political causes of communal riots and the role of British imperialism in exacerbating tensions. A thought-provoking conclusion ties the Indian experience to broader global struggles with communalism and national identity. This is a must read for scholars and researchers of Indian and South Asian history.