Hooghly: The Global History of a River

The Hooghly was a river of global significance for centuries, attracting merchants, missionaries, mercenaries, statesmen, laborers, and others from Europe, Asia, and beyond. It was integrated into global networks of encounter and exchange, and Robert Ivermee explores themes of modern capitalism, migration, technology, and the human impact on the natural world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 03 September 2020
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

The Hooghly, a distributary of the Ganges that flows south to the Bay of Bengal, is now little known outside of India. However, for centuries, it held immense global significance, drawing merchants, missionaries, mercenaries, statesmen, laborers, and others from Europe, Asia, and beyond. Hooghly aims to reclaim its place in global history. The book focuses on the various stakeholders who sought control over the river, including the Portuguese, Mughals, Dutch, French, and British, who eventually built their imperial capital, Calcutta, on its banks. By tracing the river's course, Robert Ivermee delves into themes of enduring relevance, such as the dynamics of modern capitalism and the power of large corporations; migration and human trafficking; the role of new technologies in revolutionizing social relations; and the human impact on the natural world. Through his travels up and down the river, Ivermee explores these issues in depth, offering insights into the complex tapestry of global history. In conclusion, The Hooghly's global history holds lessons for India as it emerges as a world superpower. It reminds us of the interconnectedness of nations and the importance of understanding the past to shape the future.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 148 x 222 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787383258