Inglorious Empire

What the British Did to India

By: Shashi Tharoor

Narrated by: Shashi Tharoor

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's 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.

©2018 Shashi Tharoor (P)2018 Penguin Audio

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)

Really cool

I didn't feel it was baised. it covers all the angles! Must read for youngsters!

Amazing! Loved it!

Really informative. Liked it a lot! As a latin american I sometimes lack the proper knowledge about the other aide of the world.

Awesome book by Dr. Tharoor

The book is so detailed about the times of the British Raj. It was really great to hear the history during the time in Shashi's own voice.

Must know ... Inglorious Empire

Must know ... Inglorious Empire bloody past and dark cruel history. Excellent book and must read to know truth of British empire

Must be part of all Indian and British curriculum

Why we get only half assed stories about the greatest conquest of our country in schools? Mr Tharoor is right on we Indians forgive and forget easily. We should forgive but not forget. Never forget.
I felt like I needed a punching bag when listening to this audiobook, it really makes me angry at the wrong doings. Our present we owe to our history, so please don’t tell me that’s all in the past. Thank you.

An eye opener

This is excellent depiction of what Britishers did to India. Being 68 year old Indian this is first time I was exposed to darker side of British Raj. Very well done, Shashi.
A must read book

Crash course in India during the time of Raj!

Shashi Tharoor’s voice is mesmerizing and his diction pleasing to the ears. It works like a master class to those who are not native English speakers. How wonderful it feels to listen to audiobooks by the authors themselves.
This book was like a revision of the history of India during British rule. It just flows and ends and you will be on a roller coaster ride with thrilling moments of Gloriousness of India before Britishers came in, to the torture that our ancestors faced. It certainly strikes a chord and you start thinking more about India with pride, love and compassion. The book has tons of references of other works by great authors which will build your reading list.
Despite that fact that Mr. Tharoor has written 19 books, only this one is available in audible. Wish to listen to more of his books in his voice.

LEGENDARY!!

it's a must read for every nationalist or student of history! An eye opener and a slap in the face of the British who claim that they helped India by colonizing this great land! Jai Hind

Simply awesome

Well researched, very well written and narration is one of the best one would ever listen to in english. This audio book made me look forward to my daily commute and appreciate traffic delays :-).

Churchill IS a racist!

amazing book. should be required to be read by all UK secondary school children. sobering.