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Inglorious Empire
- What the British Did to India
- Narrated by: Shashi Tharoor
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
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Inglorious Empire
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Publisher's Summary
In the 18th century, India's share of the world economy was as large as Europe's. By 1947, after two centuries of British rule, it had decreased six-fold. Beyond conquest and deception, the Empire blew rebels from cannons, massacred unarmed protesters, entrenched institutionalized racism, and caused millions to die from starvation.
British imperialism justified itself as enlightened despotism for the benefit of the governed, but Shashi Tharoor takes on and demolishes this position, demonstrating how every supposed imperial "gift" - from the railways to the rule of law - was designed in Britain's interests alone. He goes on to show how Britain's Industrial Revolution was founded on India's deindustrialization and the destruction of its textile industry.
In this bold and incisive reassessment of colonialism, Tharoor exposes to devastating effect the inglorious reality of Britain's stained Indian legacy.
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Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Curt Carbonell
- 2021-02-02
The Raj, Warts and All
Tharoor does a masterful job in explaining the damage the British Raj did to India throughout it's 200 years of colonialism in the sub-continent. He expertly deconstructs then destroys the Raj Apologists' arguments using facts, historical evidence, and--most importantly--contemporary accounts from the British themselves of the atrocious behaviour of the British Empire all in the name of wealth and prestige. Anyone looking to dispel the myth of the Righteousness of the British Empire, would do well to read this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Dee
- 2023-06-25
Incredible account…
Eye opening view of colonialism at its worst. A must read for all born in England of Indian heritage.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Shah
- 2020-02-05
Can it be told any better? I believe not.
Coming from the Indian subcontinent, I'm very much aware of what the British did during colonial times. My grandfather was an anti colonialist and spent years in jail for his activism. The Raj even offered him the vaunted district commissioner role in exchange of his views towards it. But nothing suade him from his zeal to rid the nation of colonial power. ST has done a marvelous job in summarizing 200 years of oppressions and subjection of India.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Viraj
- 2021-12-07
Phenomenal research is evident
Language is descriptive, historical evidence is referenced, narration is clear, order of chapters and story is well laid out.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Balwinder D.
- 2020-08-29
Sikh rule before British not discussed
Even "The Kohinoor" was looted from last sikh emperor Maharaja Dilip Singh. Surprised on this biased view that not even a single work about Sikh Raj is discussed as this was last major territory annexed by the britishers. And 93%of punjabis were hanged through fight for freedom of India
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mathymohan
- 2019-02-07
Overwhelming with facts (could be fiction )
The author have very good argument against the colonial past. I am overwhelmed with facts but to an extend sound like fiction as well.
Very well narrated with dynamic voice of the author.
I wonder if this book will produce anything positive or constructive. I feel The narrative of this book is falling into the category of rising popular ism. I believe this book will produce more ultra-nationalism fanaticism and some friction among nations especially between Britain and India.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Lindsay B.
- 2020-07-25
Detailed and compelling!
A compelling read rich with sources that clearly lay out past atrocities and how the various Indian cultures and people suffered as a result.
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