Ramesh B. Patel [Subject: English] International Journal of Research in Humanities & Social Sciences Vol. 2, Issue: 7, August-Sept. : 2014 ISSN:(P) 2347-5404 ISSN:(O)2320 771X 13 Online & Print International, Refereed (Reviewed) & Indexed Monthly Journal www.raijmr.com RET Academy for International Journals of Multidisciplinary Research (RAIJMR) Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘The Discovery of India’: A Quest for Self RAMESH B.PATEL Head, Department of English M. A. Parikh Fine Arts & Arts College, Palanpur, (B.K) Abstract: Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘The Discovery of India’, a Modern Classics, is a work of prodigious scope and scholarship. It is a monumental work which covers the history, philosophy, art, religion, science, economy, society and movements of one of the ancient cultures of the world. Nehru delves deep into India’s rich and complex past from the Vedic history to the British rule in India to arrive at the roots of his existence as well as his India. Nehru restudies and analyses the greatest texts of India from the Vedas to the Upanishads and the great Indian epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata only to satisfy his quest. The great personalities of India like Buddha, Chanakya and Mahatma Gandhi who played a very vital role for the construction of nation have been also paid a tribute by him. Nehru’s sincerest efforts to reach to the roots of his own existence puts him among the forefront prose writers of the world. Keywords: Discovery, History, Philosophy, Quest, Roots “When to the sessions of sweet silent thought I summon up remembrance of things past.’’ Jawaharlal Nehru has obliged the world literature by penning down `The Discovery of India’ which proves to be the testimonial to his capacity as a writer of historical as well as autobiographical book. Writing history is like walking on a tight rope as the writer may prone to be influenced by his personal prejudices and dogmas but fortunately Nehru comes out as an exception, barring some portions. Nehru, the first prime minister of India, was one of the greatest figures of the modern India. He was a multifaceted personality-a statesman, a politician, a writer, a thinker, a philosopher, and a visionary artist. He combined a fine sensitivity of mind, a rare delicacy of feelings with large and generous impulses. He was indeed, a great emancipator of the human race, who had given all his life and energy to the liberty of human beings from all the bondages of mind. It has been rightly observed, “The Discovery of India considered as a whole is a curious jumble of historical facts, philosophical speculations and reflective essays on divergent themes couched in pleasant prose often rising to poetic heights. It is a thesis on Indian culture and history by the catholic and cosmopolitan mind of Nehru. He approaches India like a “friendly foreigner”, appreciates her wisdom, condemns her follies and studies her past to make it a spring-board of action, to push and direct the current of history in creative future channels. But it is impossible to count it entirely as a book of history or culture, for what interests us more in The Discovery is its intimate autobiographical tone, its lucid style and literary graces, above all, its expression of the ideas and opinions, tastes and temperament, refined sentiments and noble passions of our beloved leader and the chief disciple of Mahatma Gandhi.” 1 Jawaharlal Nehru occupies an enviable position in Indian writing in English. He was a prose writer of distinction. The literary genius of Nehru has been acclaimed not only in India but also in the world by scholars. His reputation as a creative artist and literary personality rests on his major works –