The new edition of A History of India by Michelguglielmo Torri: a presentation

7th October 2025, at the Palazzo Valentini in Rome, CeSPI hosted the presentation of the new English edition of A History of India, a work by Michelguglielmo Torri. The initiative was conceived as an opportunity for scholars and experts on India to discuss the historical, political and cultural path of the country.

The new edition, published in three volumes, is not just a simple translation of the previous Italian edition (Storia dell’India, 2007), but also a thoroughly revised and updated work that extends the narrative up to 2014, year that saw the rise of India’s current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. As the author explained, the English version aims to provide a new read, now accessible to the international public.

The event was introduced by the Deputy Mayor of the Metropolitan City of Rome Pierluigi Sanna, followed by remarks from CeSPI’s Director, Daniele Frigeri, who presented the main speakers. During the first session, Professor Torri engaged in discussion with Diego Maiorano (University of Naples “L’Orientale” and IAI), Elisabetta Basile (Sapienza University of Rome), and Stefano Mezzedimi (Italia-India Association). The journalist Erika Kinetz moderated the discussion.

In his presentation, Diego Maiorano analysed the Indian democracy in the post-Independence period, looking at the contradictions that, despite everything, led to the building of the democratic institutions and their effective implementation. Elisabetta Basile delved into the subject, exploring the challenges of consolidating a substantial democracy in post-war India. In his reply, Michelguglielmo Torri highlighted how Indian democracy actually showed, through time, a remarkable grip, despite the social inequalities and structural issues still present.

Stefano Mezzedimi, in turn, drew the attention to the western perception of India as a country, raising questions about its national identity and its status as a global power. Professor Torri explained that national identity can be defined through different criteria: objective (territory, language, religion), but also subjective (a collective sentiment of belonging).

The second session of the event included the interventions of Pratishtha Singh (Guarini Institute, John Cabot University), Paola Irene Galli Mastrodonato (University of Tuscia), and Ambrogio Bongiovanni (Gregorian University).

Pratishtha Singh talked about the concept of “modernity” in India, comparing the western perspective with the Indian point of view. As a reply, Professor Torri observed that modernization processes have created new forms of polarisation and social tension linked to the different religious identities. Paola Irene Galli Mastrodonato analysed the representation of India in the English colonial literature, mentioning authors such as Kipling and Forster, and put them in contrast with Emilio Salgari’s narratives of the country. The reflection, with the contribution of Professor Torri, remarked upon the fact that the colonial way of talking about the country has influenced the perception of modern India. Eventually, Ambrogio Bongiovanni debated the subject of the religious and cultural plurality of India, reflecting on the relationship between Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, and on the role of the country in the mutation of the global order.

Conclusions were entrusted to Hon. Piero Fassino, who claimed it is really important, today, to keep our focus on India, given its growing relevance in the global stage, while being capable of preserving its identity linked to religious traditions.

A History of India is now available in three volumes, published by Boydell Manohar (2025):

Volume 1 – From the First Human Settlements to the Mughal Empire

Volume 2 – From the Break-up of the Mughal Empire to the End of Colonial Rule

Volume 3 – From the Nehru Era to the Neoliberal Age (1947-2014)