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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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Summary
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Rayman
- 14-04-22
Compulsory reading!
The cruel and amoral exploitation of British Colonialism exposed in a rigorous academic and fluent publication.
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1 person found this helpful
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- SK
- 29-10-21
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 04-11-20
Part of my family are from former colonies
facinating , Many angles covered , History does indeed get written by the victors ,
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Parul
- 24-11-22
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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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- David Jackson
- 10-08-18
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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2 people found this helpful
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- riaz zaman
- 20-07-18
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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2 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 07-03-21
Essential Listening
An excellent audiobook read by Shashi Tharoor himself. Essential listening for anyone piecing together Indian History.
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- Tufael Pasha
- 19-12-21
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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- E. Ramdarshan
- 06-06-23
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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- G Varsani
- 25-06-18
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