India, July 4 -- When journalist Josy Joseph stumbles across neglected archival files in the course of a research project, he is astounded by the material they hold. Bringing his investigative nous to the field of historical research, Joseph stitches together a rich account of how India came to be, and how very close it came to being splintered into sev- eral independent princely states and a small republic. Birth of a Nation follows the work of the then-newly-set-up States Department, led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and a group of determined officials. It explores how they were pitted against ruling families who had declared their independence. These states were building diplomatic relations with foreign countries; misrepresenting facts to Mountbatten, Jawaharlal Nehru and Patel; preparing to print their own currencies; and making strategic moves to defend themselves against military action by the government. They had significant support from some sections of the establishment and of Indian society. This is the history of just how hard-won the sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic of India is, and how fragile and precious that idea....