Name: Sahi K's review of Inglorious Empire by Shashi Tharoor
Item: Inglorious Empire
Rating: 4
Author: Sahi K

Shashi Tharoor

In the eighteenth century, India's share of the world economy was as large as Europe's. By 1947, it had decreased six-fold. In Inglorious Empire, Shashi Tharoor tells the real story of the British in India, from the arrival of the East India Company in 1757 to the end of the Raj, and reveals how Britain's rise was built upon its depredations in India. India was Britain's biggest cash cow, and Indians literally paid for their own oppression. Britain's Industrial Revolution was founded on India's deindustrialisation, and the destruction of its textile industry. Under the British, millions died from starvation--including 4 million in 1943 alone, after national hero Churchill diverted Bengal's food stocks to the war effort. Beyond conquest and deception, the Empire blew rebels from cannons, massacred unarmed protesters and entrenched institutionalised racism. British imperialism justified itself as enlightened despotism for the benefit of the governed. Tharoor takes on and demolishes the arguments for the Empire, demonstrating how every supposed imperial 'gift', from the railways to the rule of law, was designed in Britain's interests alone. This incisive reassessment of colonialism exposes to devastating effect the inglorious reality of Britain's stained Indian legacy.

What the British Did to India

Inglorious Empire

Pierke Bosschieter

Sahi K

This is not the first time I’ve tried to read the book. I think I started it once when I heard Dr. Shashi Tharoor’s speech at Oxford about reparations and wanted to read about it, in his own words. But I still have no recollection why I abandoned it then. I guess now was the time.

I think I probably stopped reading this before because it is undoubtedly a grim read. Reading about all the atrocities that were committed on my country’s people and how my country was exploited and destroyed for two centuries, while extolling the virtues of their superiority is not easy to digest. Add to it that fact that this is essentially a history book which mainly seeks to answer the question if British colonialism actually did more good things than bad to India, it can feel boring sometimes due to its recitation of facts and references to what the various players thought of during those times, as well as observations by others studying the situation. But Dr. Tharoor brings to such a supposedly dry narrative, his signature wit and command of the language, which makes this an emotional read. 

I also listened to the audiobook narrated by him, and that’s the perfect format to consume this book because no one can deny that he is an exceptional orator. And he doesn’t go the route of modern journalists in US where you are expected to be dispassionate and objective when reporting about anything - he is clearly emotional and indignant when talking about how the British systematically enacted policies to destroy India’s existing manufacturing and artisan class, compel the people into landlessness and indentured servitude, fill the coffers of the English corporations with money squeezed from our population, all while using all forms of violence and subjugation to show the people their place. He uses facts and figures to talk about how in every aspect of life and governance like democracy, liberalism, education, infrastructure and in every other measurable index, India is where it is today not because of the British Raj, but inspite of it. 

This may feel like an aside but I couldn’t help but see the parallels between the British administration’s actions during the various famines that ravaged India under their rule and the statements that current GOP leaders in America make when talking about any measures to help the people. The British believed that as a government, it was their duty not to interfere with the free market nor was it their imperative to reduce/control prices of food when millions of dying of starvation, and they actively discouraged charity or welfare because it would make the people lazy. This is so in-line with present Republican party’s belief that even during a once in a lifetime pandemic, giving assistance to people to weather their losses should be subject to constraints and very limited; that even the idea of extended unemployment benefits or universal childcare is abhorrent without means testing and work requirements because god forbid the government ever get into the business of helping the common people instead of the corporations. I just felt while reading this chapter about famines that colonialism and empire might not exist today in its past form, but it’s legacies are carried forward with enough fervor into the future. 

To conclude, this was an informative and well narrated look at all the ways in which the Raj destroyed India, and was not a benevolent force that brought development, democracy and liberalism to a backward nation. This book is definitely one of those that serves as an answer to the many Raj apologists who keep reminiscing the good old days of the empire, forgetting that it was never actually good for those who were colonized. Ofcourse, this is not an extensive nor a completely chronological look at the history of the British Raj in India, but probably a good one to start with for those who are unfamiliar with the history or just want more insight into the times. And as the author rightfully points out, the crimes of colonialism maybe forgiven but can’t be forgotten, it’s all of our imperative to ensure we all remember this history as we strive for a better future.

Emmanuel Olalere

A book that dives into into India's experiences under the British Raj. Highly recommended to understand the savagery of the British, the myth of advancement under empire as well as understanding how things that still exist in India today such as the caste system was amplified under British colonial rule. 

Highly recommended!

Simran Armstrong

Hardik Prajapati

Todd Gagne

The Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller on India's experience of British colonialism, by the internationally-acclaimed author and diplomat Shashi Tharoor 'Tharoor's impassioned polemic slices straight to the heart of the darkness that drives all empires ... laying bare the grim, and high, cost of the British Empire for its former subjects. An essential read' Financial Times In the eighteenth 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. The Empire blew rebels from cannon, massacred unarmed protesters, entrenched institutionalised 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 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 deindustrialisation, 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.

Pierke Bosschieter &
Inglorious Empire by Shashi Tharoor

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Pierke Bosschieter &Inglorious Empire by Shashi Tharoor

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Inglorious Empire by Shashi Tharoor