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Inglorious Empire

What the British Did to India

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Inglorious Empire

By: Shashi Tharoor
Narrated by: Shashi Tharoor
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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Inglorious Empire written and read by Shashi Tharoor.

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.

©2018 Shashi Tharoor (P)2018 Penguin Audio
Colonialism & Post-Colonialism Great Britain India Politics & Government South Asia Colonial Period Imperialism Self-Determination Thought-Provoking England Hinduism
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Critic reviews

Tharoor convincingly demolishes some of the more persistent myths about Britain's supposedly civilising mission in India ... [he] charts the destruction of pre-colonial systems of government by the British and their ubiquitous ledgers and rule books ... The statistics are worth repeating. (Victor Mallet)
Remarkable ... The book is savagely critical of 200 years of the British in India. It makes very uncomfortable reading for Brits (Matt Ridley)
Tharoor's impassioned polemic slices straight to the heart of the darkness that drives all empires. Forceful, persuasive and blunt, he demolishes Raj nostalgia, laying bare the grim, and high, cost of the British Empire for its former subjects. An essential read (Niljana Roy)

What listeners say about Inglorious Empire

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Compulsory reading!

The cruel and amoral exploitation of British Colonialism exposed in a rigorous academic and fluent publication.

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If you dare to know the truth, here it is!

All my education on one side and what I have learnt through this book is on one side. After reading this, I feel ashamed that I haven’t learnt about this truth until now, and for living in a world of lies and cover-ups. I don’t think many of this is known by Today's youth of india and the value of the freedom we enjoy Today; the struggles our forefathers had to go through, and how their souls were crushed and humiliated for 200 years whilst the country being looted left right and centre. As Mr. Tharoor said, let us forgive, but not forget. This book should be part of the Indian education for sure.

After knowing all this, I am extremely proud of what India has achieved in just 70 years after rising from ashes since independence and very hopeful of what it can achieve in the coming years.

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Part of my family are from former colonies

facinating , Many angles covered , History does indeed get written by the victors ,

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Excellent and must read book if you really want o learn about British colonial history

A great book about British colonial history, even if you think you know about the topic. It covers atrocities and unfair practices that are conveniently not covered in British school curriculum and media.

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Informative and thought-provoking

The argument is predictable but it is laid out in an interesting manner which I at least find persuasive. Even should one ultimately disagree with the central arguement it is one that is worthwhile hearing out.

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Harsh reality

Tharoor expertly analyses the impact of Empire on India and explains many of the tragic consequences from it. It really is astonishing the impact and the lasting damage colonialism has had on India and many other countries around the world. From this work a reader understands the harsh reality of this period.

This is a thought provoking book and one that many more in the UK need to be aware of.

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Essential Listening

An excellent audiobook read by Shashi Tharoor himself. Essential listening for anyone piecing together Indian History.

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A must read for Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi

I was looking for such an informative book about British periods in sub continent. Very informative and made me understand the actual facts and situations of that time.

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Very interesting

I found this book very interesting from start to finish. The statements Shashi Tharoor makes about the British Empire are backed up by quotes, events, statistics and are not just opinions. It is obvious he has a very high opinion of India (and why not) which at time might sound a little biased, but on the whole this book is very illuminating on what the Empire did in and to India and the consequences on people through the decades and still now.

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An informative and entertaining audiobook.

I really enjoyed listening to this informative audiobook. I bought the hard back but didn't manage to get very far. I was thrilled when the audiobook was produced. Shashi Tharoor narrates the book well. I feel I have gained a better understanding of the impact of British rule in India.

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14 people found this helpful