Peace, Poverty and Betrayal: A New History of British India

Roderick Matthews' Peace,Poverty and Betrayal offers a nuanced story of 'oblige and rule' between colonisers and powerful Indians, highlighting the diversity and ambiguity of British-Indian relations and driving social changes leading to the struggle for independence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2021
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

In this captivating new history, Roderick Matthews delves into a more intricate narrative of "oblige and rule," unveiling the underlying foundation of mutual purpose between colonizers and influential Indians. Titled "Peace, Poverty, and Betrayal," this book challenges the prevalent interpretations of British rule in India, offering a nuanced perspective that goes beyond the simplistic dichotomies of "imperial versus nationalist."

Matthews skillfully weaves together a rich tapestry of historical events, shedding light on the complex and multifaceted nature of British-Indian relations. He argues that rather than being a rigid system, British policy was characterized by ambiguity and inconsistency. The East India Company, initially perceived as an incompetent ruler, transformed into arguably the world's first liberal government. Within both the British and Indian communities, there existed a spectrum of attitudes towards colonization, ranging from progressive to conservative.

Through meticulous illustrations, Matthews highlights how this diversity and ambiguity of British-Indian relations played a pivotal role in shaping the social dynamics that ultimately fueled the struggle for independence. He deftly critiques the oversimplified binaries that often dominate the debate, offering a fresh and elegant perspective on the history of British India.

"Peace, Poverty, and Betrayal" is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the intricate and multifaceted nature of British rule in India. It provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of this complex historical period, challenging our preconceived notions and illuminating the many shades of gray that characterized the relationship between the colonizers and the colonized.

Weight: 818g
Dimension: 214 x 252 x 43 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787383852