The conventional wisdom in Bihar s political circles was that development did not win votes. Nitish Kumar challenged that assumption and changed the face of the state. Born into a humble family in Bakhtiyarpur; Nitish joined the Lohiaite Socialist Party and built his constituency; literally day by day; forgoing a stable job to travel to distant villages; suffering both financial hardship and ridicule for the eight years it took him to win people s confidence. Veteran journalist Arun Sinha tells the story of Nitish Kumar s rise against the larger canvas of social and political upheaval in Bihar; exploring the emergent desire for equality that drove progressive movements from late 1960s onwards and brought about a regime change by the 1990s. After an initial association with Lalu Prasad Yadav; Nitish Kumar rejected identity politics; recognizing that Bihar had to transcend caste if it was to grow. Nitish Kumar and the Rise of Bihar is a clear-sighted study of Indian electoral politics that unfolds with the pace of a political drama; offering hard facts and an incisive analysis of the state s turbulent trajectory. Sinha steers the narrative deftly through the complex groupings of Bihar s political arena to reveal Nitish Kumar s acumen in bringing law and order; roads; education and health to the fore of governance. From feudal politics to caste identities; and finally to development Bihar could prove to be the model for India s post-Independence journey.