Empire and Ecology in the Bengal Delta: The Making of Calcutta

When a distant colonial power attempts to tame an unfamiliar terrain in the world's largest tidal delta, a history of dramatic ecological changes from 1760 to 1920 unfolds, revealing the interconnected stories and struggles of land, water, and humans. Bhattacharyya argues that property-thinking, a governing tool that categorized land and water as discrete categories for bureaucratic and legal management, drove colonial urbanization and the technologies behind the draining of Calcutta. This history continues to shape our built environments, with devastating consequences, as evidenced by the receding coastline of the Bay of Bengal.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 257 pages
\n Publication date: 13 June 2019
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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When a distant colonial power attempts to tame an unfamiliar terrain in the world's largest tidal delta, a captivating history of dramatic ecological changes unfolds from 1760 to 1920. This intricate tapestry of land, water, and humans intertwines, revealing the interconnected stories and struggles that bind them together.

By venturing beyond narratives of environmental decline, Bhattacharyya delves into the core of colonial urbanization and the technological advancements that facilitated the draining of Calcutta. He uncovers the profound impact of property-thinking, a governing tool that categorized land and water as distinct categories for bureaucratic and legal management. This mindset played a pivotal role in shaping the colonial city and the technologies employed to drain its wetlands.

The story of ecological change unfolds alongside emerging practices of land speculation and transformation in colonial law. Bhattacharyya adeptly demonstrates how this history continues to shape our built environments, with devastating consequences evident in the Bay of Bengal's receding coastline.

This captivating narrative invites us to reflect on the long-lasting legacies of colonialism and the profound ecological transformations that it engendered. It serves as a reminder of the intricate connections between land, water, and human societies, and the urgent need to address the ongoing challenges of climate change and sustainable development in our rapidly changing world.

\n Weight: 384g\n
Dimension: 228 x 151 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781108443340\n \n