This is a study of the social, political, economic and public health aspects of the Second World War in South Asia, with particular attention being accorded to colonial Eastern India, which was treated as a single administrative unit during the course of the conflict for strategic purposes. The conclusion deals with the long term effects of the war: its effects on political formations, bureaucratic re-negotiation and the de-colonisation of the British Indian empire.

Sanjoy Bhattacharya

Introduction; Chapter 1 The Second World War, Indian Nationalism and the Challenges of State Mobilisation in Eastern India: A Survey; Chapter 2 State Propaganda and Civilian Audiences in Eastern India 1939-45: Forms, Applications and Scope; Chapter 3 An Ancillary to Propaganda: State Censorship and the Civilian Population in Eastern India 1939-45; Chapter 4 The Colonial State, 'Neutrals' and the Propaganda Campaign against the Indian National Congress 1939-1944; Chapter 5 Propaganda, Censorship and the British Indian Army: Eastern India 1942-45; conclusion Conclusion;