Book Review: ‘Middle Class India’ by Manisha Pande

Book Title: Middle Class India
Author: Manisha Pande
Publisher: Aleph Book Company
Number of Pages: 360
ISBN: 978-8119635467
Date Published: Nov. 15, 2024
Price: INR 650

Book Review

The Indian middle class is both the architect and the critic of India’s aspirations. – C.N.Vakil

“Middle Class India” by Manisha Pande provides a comprehensive analysis of the Indian middle class, tracing its evolution from the colonial period to its current influence in society. The book explores the growth of the middle class, which now constitutes 31% of India’s population and is projected to reach 60% by 2047. The author divides the history of this class into three key phases: the period before independence, the post-independence transition, and the modern-day middle class shaped by the 1991 economic liberalization. The book delves into the factors driving the middle class’s rise, including political, social, and economic changes over the decades.

The first part of the book examines the pre-independence middle class, exploring its transformation from an apolitical group to one deeply involved in the freedom movement. Events like the Battle of Plassey, the Bengal Renaissance, and the Revolt of 1857 played key roles in this shift. Post-independence, the middle class continued to evolve, especially as it navigated the complex socio-political landscape in India. Manisha Pande details the changes the middle class underwent, including its increasing political influence and the role of figures like Gandhi and Nehru in shaping its identity.

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In the post-liberalization era, Pande highlights the rise of consumerism, innovation, and entrepreneurship among the middle class, who became more ambitious and politically engaged. However, the book also explores some of the challenges faced by this class, such as economic strains following the pandemic and the rise of communal tensions. These factors, Manisha Pande argues, may be pushing certain segments of the middle class toward a more polarized and sectarian outlook.

Through meticulous research, “Middle Class India” provides a nuanced look at the evolving role of the middle class in shaping the country’s economy, politics, and society. It examines both the triumphs and the challenges of this influential group, offering valuable insights into how the middle class may navigate the future. Pande’s analysis prompts reflection on the role this class must play in fostering economic growth, social cohesion, and peace in India.

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