From Plassey to Pakistan: The Family History of Iskander Mirza, the First President of Pakistan - Paperback

by Humayun Mirza (Author)

In this sweeping historical survey, Humayan Mirza traces the fortunes of his ancestors, the powerful rulers of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. Turning next to the colonial experience India under British rule, Mirza describes the long struggle for independence that ultimately led to the partition of India and the birth of Pakistan. With its subsequent focus on the career of the author's father, Iskander Mirza, From Plassey to Pakistan offers the reader a comprehensive picture of a politically volatile region that remains at the very center of our global consciousness. Also included in this revised edition is a new chapter that discusses Pakistan's role as a front-line state in the "War Against Terrorism," following September 11, 2001.Combining the personal insights of an insider with the objectivity of a meticulous researcher, Humayan Mirza has written a work that will benefit academics, policymakers, and general readers alike. Anyone with an interest in the historical factors that have shaped the current political issues confronting India and Pakistan will find this an intriguing and indispensable book.

Author Biography

The only surviving son of Iskander Mirza, Humayun Mirza belongs to a generation whose lives were disrupted by the partition of India in 1947. Born in Poona, India, and educated at the prestigious Doon School, Mirza also studied in England before coming to the United States, where he earned his MBA from Harvard. When the military coup against his father prevented Mirza from returning to Pakistan, he joined the World Bank, where he had a distinguished career until his retirement in 1988. He currently lives in the greater Washington (DC) metropolitan area.