William Dalrymple, an acclaimed historian and author of 'The Anarchy', joins broadcaster Kavita Puri to uncover the sinister legacy of the East India Company. They discuss how this private corporation, rather than the British government, orchestrated the exploitation of India. Dalrymple sheds light on the parallels between historical corporate power and today's landscape, emphasizing the relevance of understanding colonialism's impact on modern governance. The pair also tackle the controversial legacy of Robert Clive and the ongoing debates about historical memory.
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Forgotten History
The British presence in India began as a for-profit venture by the East India Company, not a national enterprise.
This fact has been largely forgotten in the telling of the British national narrative.
insights INSIGHT
From Spices to Textiles
The East India Company transitioned from spice trading to textiles, focusing on India's Mughal Empire.
This shift, along with piracy and exploitation, fueled the company's rise to global prominence.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Clive's Conquest
Robert Clive, leading a British expedition, exploited a local conflict with the Nawab of Bengal.
Through a rigged battle at Plassey, Clive seized the wealthy treasury, marking the East India Company's shift to imperial power.
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The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire
William Dalrymple
The Anarchy recounts the remarkable rise of the East India Company from its humble beginnings in 1599 to its military dominance over the Indian subcontinent by 1803. The book details the company's territorial conquests, starting from the Battle of Plassey in 1757, and its eventual control over large swaths of Asia. Dalrymple draws from previously untapped sources, including Indian, Persian, and French materials, to provide a vivid and detailed story of corporate greed, violence, and the fall of the Mughal Empire. The book also explores the broader implications of corporate power and its impact on colonial rule.
Partition Voices
Kavita Puri
Partition Voices: Untold British Stories by Kavita Puri is a non-fiction book that captures the experiences of South Asians who lived through the partition of India in 1947 and later settled in Britain. The book includes interviews with individuals from diverse backgrounds, offering a nuanced perspective on the trauma and legacy of partition. It explores how these events continue to shape the identities and family dynamics of those affected, providing a powerful insight into a pivotal moment in history.
Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared ------ We still talk about the British conquering India, but that phrase disguises a more sinister reality. For it was not the British government that began seizing chunks of India in the mid-18th century, as historian William Dalrymple points out, but a dangerously unregulated private company headquartered in one small office, five windows wide, in London, and managed in India by a violent, ruthless and mentally unstable corporate predator — Robert Clive. India’s transition to colonialism, in other words, took place under a for-profit corporation, which existed for the purpose of enriching its investors. In this episode Dalrymple speaks with broadcaster Kavita Puri about why he believes the story of the East India Company has never been more relevant to understanding our world today. To find out more about his book The Anarchy click here: https://bit.ly/3hb9c06 and to find out more about kavita Puri's book click here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/partition-voices/kavita-puri/9781408898987. -------------------------- Intelligence Squared+. The world's best speakers. Your questions. £4.99 per month. Intelligence Squared+ will bring you live, interactive events every week on our new online platform. Just like at our real-life events, you’ll be able to put your questions to our speakers, vote in live polls and interact with other members of the audience. Your subscription will give you access to multiple events featuring the world’s top thinkers and opinion formers, including Thomas Piketty, Margaret Atwood, Clive Woodward, Thomas Friedman, Meera Syal and Paloma Faith. For a full list of Intelligence Squared+ events and to subscribe, click here: https://bit.ly/2yfYIfm
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