Atomic State: Big Science in Twentieth-Century India

in 1974 India conducted what it called œpeaceful nuclear tests. These demonstrated that the country possessed the technology required to make Atom bombs. In historical accounts, this explosive achievement has come to be seen as the culmination of a states efforts at capacity building and self-reliance through œbig Science.

Phalkey traces the academic roots of India’s nuclear research to universities, industrial philanthropy, leading scientists, and laboratories: C.V. Raman, Meghnad Saha, Homi Bhabha, Shanti swarup bhatnagar, and Jawaharlal Nehru are among her books major protagonists; and Calcutta, Bombay, and Bangalore the institutional centres. Big Science in India is located via three transitions: of nuclear Physics from table-top experiments to electronic equipment systems; of India from imperial rule to independence; and of international relations from imperialism to the Cold War.

A brilliant contribution to its field, this book makes us rethink the place of science in India’s history, as well as the frameworks deployed for writing contemporary history.