Empire 88. The Russo-Japanese War: Asia Strikes Back
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Oct 12, 2023 
Pankaj Mishra, an insightful author specializing in empire and Asian history, dives deep into the ramifications of the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. He reveals how Japan's stunning victory over Russia ignited a wave of nationalism and self-determination across Asia, influencing leaders like Gandhi and Sun Yat-sen. The discussion also highlights technological advancements in naval warfare that turned the tide for Japan and redefined perceptions of sovereignty among colonized nations. Such pivotal moments reshaped the political landscape of the 20th century.
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Tagore on Japanese Nationalism
- Rabindranath Tagore wrote about Japanese nationalism in 1916 after the Russo-Japanese War.
- He highlighted Japan's rapid modernization and Asia's realization of its own power.
Disparity in Historical Narratives
- Pankaj Mishra wrote "From the Ruins of Empire" due to the disparity between Western and Asian historical narratives.
- The West focuses on World Wars, while Asia emphasizes events like the Russo-Japanese War.
* overlooked in the West*
- The Russo-Japanese War's impact is largely overlooked in the West, but it significantly changed Asian self-perception.
- Lord Curzon acknowledged the war's reverberations throughout Asia.
