An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India (Hardcover)

An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India is a book by Indian author Shashi Tharoor, published in 2016. The book is a critical examination of the British rule in India, arguing that it was a period of economic exploitation, political repression, and social and cultural destruction.

Tharoor begins by tracing the history of the British East India Company, which established its first trading post in India in 1600. Over the next two centuries, the Company gradually expanded its control over the subcontinent, eventually defeating the Mughal Empire in the early 1800s.

Tharoor argues that the British rule in India was primarily motivated by economic greed. The British systematically drained India’s resources, exporting raw materials and importing finished goods. This deindustrialized India and led to widespread poverty.

Tharoor also criticizes the British for their political repression of Indians. Indians were denied basic rights and freedoms, and were often subjected to brutal violence. The British also imposed a system of racial segregation, which resulted in the marginalization of Indians.

In addition, Tharoor argues that the British had a devastating impact on Indian culture and society. They suppressed traditional Indian institutions and customs, and promoted their own values and beliefs. This led to a loss of identity and self-esteem among many Indians.

Tharoor concludes by arguing that the British rule in India was a period of darkness and oppression. He asserts that the British left India a poorer, less developed, and more divided country than they found it.

An Era of Darkness is a controversial book, but it has been praised by many critics for its well-argued and well-researched critique of British rule in India. It is an important book for anyone who wants to understand the legacy of British colonialism in India.