M.J. Akbar embarks on a historical whodunnit to trace the journey of an idea, and the events, people, circumstances and mindset that divided India. The investigation spans a thousand years, and features an extraordinary cast: visionaries, opportunists, statesmen, tyrants, plunderers, generals, and an unusual collection of theologians, beginning with Shah Waliullah who created a ‘theory of distance’ to protect ‘Islamic identity’ from Hindus and Hinduism. Akbar brings an impressive array of research, perception and analysis to solve this puzzle, writing the story in a fluent, engaging style that makes a difficult subject deceptively accessible. There could be no better guide to the subcontinent’s past, and a glimpse into its future.