Murlidhar C. Bhandare lived through some of the most pivotal moments in India’s history – from the final years of British colonial rule to the country’s hard-won independence. Born in 1928 to a middle-class family in Mumbai, Bhandare’s childhood was shaped by India’s brewing nationalist movement.

As a young man studying law, he immersed himself in independent India’s vibrant cultural and intellectual scene. He built a successful legal career in Mumbai, and later the Supreme Court. His passion for human rights led him to serve on the United Nations, where he advocated for human rights.

In this revealing memoir, Bhandare charts his improbable journey from modest beginnings to the heights of India’s political elite. With candour and humour, he recalls his early days in Mumbai, falling in love with his wife Sunanda and raising two children, and reminisces about friends and colleagues.

Bhandare’s life story is also the history of modern India. His personal chronicle provides an intimate window into the last century’s defining moments, chronicling India’s dramatic transformation into the dynamic nation it is today. The Arc of Memory is the inspiring tale of a man as he reflects on a life well lived in service to his country.