Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
The Poet Who Toppled The British Empire
Oct 11, 2024
David Bodanis, author of "How to Change the World," dives into the inspiring story of Sarojini Naidu, a key figure in the non-violent resistance against British colonial rule in India. He discusses her rise from a British admirer to a leader in the fight for independence, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest. The conversation unveils the strategic brilliance of Naidu's campaigns, especially her march against oppressive salt laws, and reflects on the broader implications of nonviolent resistance in global justice movements.
43:53
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Quick takeaways
- Sarojini Naidu's leadership during India's 1930 salt march exemplified the power of non-violent resistance against British colonialism, contrasting sharply with violent struggles for independence.
- Naidu's transformative experience at Cambridge fostered her eventual commitment to challenging the injustices of colonial rule through civil disobedience and poetry.
Deep dives
The Violent Assassination in South Kensington
The episode recounts a violent assassination in 1909 when William Hutt Curzon Wiley, a retired army officer, was shot by an Indian militant in South Kensington. This act of violence was rooted in the belief that violent uprisings were a necessary means to combat British colonial rule in India. The assassin, while acting alone, was part of a collective of young Indian men who trained together in North London to resist British authority. The aftermath prompted reflection on whether such acts of violence would truly lead to change or simply provoke further repression by the British government.
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