Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India

Shashi Tharoor's book "The End of Empire" explores the history of British colonialism in India, highlighting its negative impact on the country's economy, society, and culture. He argues that British imperialism was not benevolent but rather exploitative and destructive, and that its legacy continues to shape India's present.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 336 pages
\n Publication date: 01 February 2018
\n Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
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Shashi Tharoor's The Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller delves into India's experience of British colonialism, offering a powerful and thought-provoking analysis. Tharoor's impassioned polemic cuts straight to the heart of the darkness that drives all empires, exposing the grim and high cost of the British Empire for its former subjects. This essential read from the Financial Times sheds light on the profound impact of British rule in India over two centuries.

In the eighteenth century, India held a significant position in the global economy, comparable to that of Europe. However, by 1947, following centuries of British rule, India's share of the world economy had decreased sixfold. The Empire employed ruthless tactics, including the use of cannons against rebels, massacring unarmed protesters, institutionalizing racism, and resulting in millions of deaths due to starvation.

British imperialism sought to justify itself as enlightened despotism, claiming to bring benefits to the governed. However, Tharoor challenges this narrative, demonstrating how every supposed imperial gift, from railways to the rule of law, was designed solely in Britain's interests. He further reveals how Britain's Industrial Revolution was built on the deindustrialization of India and the destruction of its textile industry.

In this bold and incisive reassessment of colonialism, Tharoor exposes the inglorious reality of Britain's stained Indian legacy. He highlights the enduring impact of colonialism on India's political, social, and economic landscape, and calls for a deeper understanding and acknowledgment of this history. Tharoor's book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of colonialism and its lasting consequences.

\n Weight: 254g\n
Dimension: 196 x 131 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780141987149\n \n