Independence Day Reads: 7 Classic Books on India’s Freedom and Legacy

Lala Lajpat Rai—famously called the Lion of Punjab—was a man of unshakable conviction. He wasn’t just a freedom fighter of India on the ground, but also one on the page. In his book Young India, Rai boldly criticised British colonial rule and exposed how it weakened India’s social, economic, and educational backbone.

Fun fact: Young India was written during Rai’s stay in the US and first published in 1916. But the British weren’t too pleased with it. So it was banned in India and Britain. Years later, the ban was lifted, and the book was republished in India in 1927—this time by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, who recognised the importance of Rai’s message.

All these interesting factors make this a must-read classic for Independence Day.

Buy Here: Young India

If you didn’t already know—Bhagat Singh, one of India’s most fearless revolutionaries, was also an atheist. And the first essay of this book is his explanation of why. Written in 1930 from Lahore Central Jail, Why I Am an Atheist is Singh’s response to those who claimed his lack of belief was rooted in vanity.

The rest of the book dives deeper into his world—through letters, notes, and speeches that reveal his convictions, clarity of thought, and unshakable belief in his ideals. Whether or not you agree with him, this collection will challenge your thinking—and maybe even shake a few long-held beliefs loose.

Buy Here: Why I am an Atheist & Other Writings

One social issue India is still fighting for freedom from is the caste system. And when it comes to understanding this deeply rooted issue, there’s no better place to start than with B.R. Ambedkar.

Originally written in 1936 as a speech for the Jat-Pat Todak Mandal, The Annihilation of Caste is one of those classic books that hits hard. In fact, it was never delivered. Why? Because Ambedkar’s message boldly questioned Hindu orthodoxy and ripped apart the very foundation of caste-based inequality.

Add it to your Independence Day 2025 reading list—not just to remember the past, but to challenge the present issues of the caste system as well.

Buy Here: The Annihilation of Caste

If there’s one classic book that captures the full sweep of India’s story—from its ancient roots to the final years of British rule—it’s The Discovery of India by Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister.

Written in 1944 during his imprisonment at Ahmadnagar Fort, this book is part history, part reflection, and entirely a labour of love. Nehru weaves together India’s cultural, spiritual, and intellectual legacy—while also tracing its long journey towards independence. This isn’t just a political account—it’s a rediscovery of India’s identity beyond colonial narratives, from the eyes of one of its key architects.

This classic book by Rabindranath Tagore is not what the title might make you expect. Nationalism is a thought-provoking critique of the very idea of aggressive nationalism—and makes for a surprising yet powerful read this India’s Independence Day 2025.

Written during World War I, Tagore questions how nationalism can become a force that divides rather than unites. With his usual poetic insight, Tagore argues for compassion, cooperation, and shared humanity over patriotism. Nationalism invites you to reflect not just on independence, but on what kind of world we want to build with it.

Buy Here: Nationalism

In the mood for some classic Independence Day fiction? Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie is a must-read classic for you.

Imagine being born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947. That’s how Saleem Sinai’s life began in Midnight’s Children. As he grows, his story intertwines with the nation’s—every high and low reflected in his journey. With rich fiction and historical insight, this novel offers a magical, moving take on India’s post-independence evolution.

Saving one of the best works of fiction on India’s Partition for the end, Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh is an emotionally intense classic that shows the price many paid for India’s Independence.

Set in the fictional village of Mano Majra, the novel captures how the peace of the village is shattered when “ghost trains” start to arrive, carrying the bodies of thousands of refugees. As communal tensions rise, the village becomes a microcosm of a nation divided. At its heart is the love story of a Sikh boy and a Muslim girl, standing against the backdrop of hate, fear, and war.

And these were our Independence Day special reads — classics that don’t just tell stories, but carry the echoes of a time that shaped us. Through these books, we see that India’s Independence wasn’t a one-day event. It was a journey full of bloodshed, heartbreak, courage, survival, and identity.

So, read to remember. Read to reflect. Or just read because you can. Because the freedom to read, to think, and to question is what truly keeps the spirit of Independence alive.