Review of Bangalore Girls: Witnessing the Rise of Nationalism in a Progressive City, by Supriya Baily

Abstract

Supriya Baily's book about her high school classmates is a rich blend of genres exploring the values of independent judgment, self-determination, confidence, and solidarity that a middle-class private school instilled in its students, regardless of their creed or caste. The narrative—beautifully recounted through the voices of the author and her peers—tells the story of the rise of a modern metropolis within a diverse society marked by various traditions and religious struggles, all set against the backdrop of secular education. Furthermore, it serves as a warning about how the growing absolutism and repression in Indian education over recent decades have undermined progress, affecting not only private institutions but also public schools.