Ramblings India in the Cotswolds with Corinne Fowler and Raj Pal
Nov 13, 2025
Corinne Fowler, an author focused on Britain’s colonial histories, joins historian Raj Pal, who explores local connections to India. As they walk through the Cotswolds, they delve into how the landscape is intertwined with imperial history. They discuss Sezincote House, a stunning Neo-Mughal estate, and the wealth that funded Cotswold land purchases from India. Raj highlights multi-generational ties between Britain and India, promoting a richer understanding of national identity. They also touch on their upcoming podcast that will explore Birmingham's global history.
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History Embedded In Landscape
- Corinne Fowler grounds imperial history in local landscapes by linking trades to specific walks.
- This approach reveals hidden colonial connections in ordinary rural places.
Enclosure Linked To Colonial Wealth
- Enclosure privatized common land and many of those late enclosures were funded by Indian wealth.
- That makes typical Cotswold hedges and walls part of a colonial financial story.
Sezincote's Neo‑Mughal Story
- Sezincote House was restyled as a Neo-Mughal palace after brothers made fortunes in India.
- Raj Pal and Corinne describe its onion dome, peacock arches and ornamental pools visible from the walk.
