Time’s Monster by Priya Satia

Description

In this groundbreaking book, Priya Satia argues that history is not just a record of the past, but a powerful tool that can be used to justify and legitimize imperial power. She traces the history of Western historiography from the Enlightenment to the present day, showing how historians have often used their craft to create a linear narrative of progress that positions the West as the pinnacle of human development. This narrative has been used to justify colonialism, imperialism, and other forms of oppression.

Satia challenges this narrative, arguing that history is not a linear progression, but a complex and contested field of knowledge. She shows how alternative visions of history have been articulated by anticolonial thinkers such as William Blake, Mahatma Gandhi, and E. P. Thompson. These visions offer a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of the past, and they can help us to imagine a more just and equitable future.

Time’s Monster is a powerful and important book that challenges us to think critically about the role of history in our world. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the history of empire, the ethics of historiography, and the possibilities for a more just future.