Western Imperialism in the Subcontinent: A Review of “Inglorious Empire”

It is no secret that the nations of the East are the victims of the inhumane exploitation conducted by the Western world. Even in the 21st century, the so-called global village is still exploited by the West through technological and financial means. Dr. Shashi Tharoor is an Indian diplomat, politician, and author from a region heavily exploited by the British Raj between the mid-19th century to 1947 AD. A region that currently houses two of the world’s most populous nations is the region of the Subcontinent or modern-day South Asia. One of the most notable works of Dr. Shashi Tharoor, “Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India,” focuses on the British Empire and its dark history of colonialism, especially within the South Asian region.

The book provides an extensive analysis and critical examination of the British Raj in India, highlighting the inhumane acts committed by the corporate leaders of the British East India Company and the post-1857 mutiny in which the British monarchy took over and continued the tradition. The book also focuses on the War of Independence (1857) and its aftermath, a major turning point in history. The author also gives his views and perspective on the reasons that led to the rebellion and its aftermath. The author raises the issue of the long-lasting impact of British rule on South Asia and the remnants of British traditions and rules that are still present in the current structure of the nations that were once part of the British Empire. The author not only focuses on the history of the Indian subcontinent but also highlights the complexities and the permanent scars caused by the British Raj that are still present in the current South Asian region. The book calls for the readers to have a deeper understanding of colonial history and how it is affecting the region to this very day. The author, in a way, wants the acknowledgment of the Western world, particularly the British Monarchy, to admit their past colonial atrocities in order to achieve true reconciliation between the British Monarchy and the nations of South Asia.

In the end, the work of Dr. Shashi Tharoor provides an extensive examination of the colonial world and its dark secrets, which still haunt us to this day. The author provides the readers with a persuasive exploration of the dark times of South Asia rather than a simple history lecture, allows the people of the current South Asian region to explore their hidden scars caused by the British Monarchy, and also reminds the current British Monarchy of their forgotten colonial crimes that are needed to be addressed by the current monarchy in order to achieve true reconciliation between Britain and the current generation of the Subcontinent. The book is a vital read for anyone trying to understand the colonial history of the Subcontinent, especially the people of South Asia whose ancestors were exploited by the British Raj and how their exploitation affected the current generation of the Subcontinent.