Rekha Datta, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Political Science and Sociology and Freed Endowed Chair in Social Sciences, contributed a chapter to the recently published book, “The Seventies: Turbulence to Transition.”
Her chapter, “When a Female Leader Fought: Recounting the 1970s and the Lived History of Indira Gandhi and the 1971 Bangladesh War,” focuses on Gandhi’s leadership during the conflict and its impact on India’s domestic politics, foreign policy, human rights, and the right to self-determination for the people of East Pakistan. It also explores Gandhi’s lasting legacy as a female head of state in South Asia, particularly in India.
Datta frames her analysis within the context of Gandhi’s leadership in crisis, examining her emergence as India’s first female prime minister and the personal and institutional challenges she faced. The chapter provides insight into Ghandi’s decision-making during the Bangladesh crisis and the broader implications of her leadership.
“The Seventies,” examines one of history’s most transformative decades, offering diverse perspectives from expert contributors and covers a wide range of topics, from political movements to cultural shifts, that defined the era.