Book Review of An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India by Shashi Tharoor

An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India, authored by Shashi Tharoor and published first on October 27, 2016, by Aleph Book Company, contains 360 pages. He examines the profound and lasting impact of British colonialism on India. Tharoor’s book provides a well-researched, critical examination of British colonial rule, highlighting the extensive social and economic harm it inflicted on India. Tharoor critiques the common narrative that British rule was a “civilizing mission,” providing an unfiltered look at the exploitation, economic drain, and cultural disruption imposed on the country. Using meticulous research and compelling anecdotes, he highlights how British policies drained India’s wealth and stunted its industries, ultimately leaving the nation impoverished.

The book was well-received, winning the Ramnath Goenka Award in 2017 for Excellence in Journalism (Non-Fiction) and later, the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2019. Available through publishers like Aleph Book Company and online on Amazon, it has since become a seminal work in post-colonial studies on British India.

Historical Context and Impact of British Rule

The Early Days of the East India Company: British colonial rule began with the East India Company, initially established for trade but soon transforming into a powerful force through military and political domination. The East India Company’s control grew rapidly following the Battle of Plassey in 1757, where the British exploited local rivalries and secured victory through treachery and military superiority.
British Conquest and Expansion: The Company slowly extended its reach, taking control of more territories and imposing its policies on local rulers. This expansion paved the way for widespread economic and social changes across India, which would fundamentally alter its economy, culture, and society.
The Book’s Core Arguments Against British Rule: Through compelling storytelling and solid historical evidence, Tharoor refutes the argument that British rule was beneficial for India. He details the massive wealth transfer, the destruction of local industries, and the enforced famines that led to the deaths of millions. His work serves as both an eye-opener and a rebuttal to those who view colonial rule through a romanticized lens.
Economic Exploitation of India by the British: One of Tharoor’s strongest arguments is the economic drain that British rule imposed on India. Prior to British control, India was a wealthy nation, contributing significantly to the world GDP. Under British rule, however, India’s economy was systematically exploited to benefit the British economy, leaving the subcontinent impoverished.
The “Drain of Wealth” Theory: Tharoor emphasizes how British policies extracted India’s wealth to fill British coffers, often at the expense of Indian labour and resources.
Destruction of Indian Industries: The British actively suppressed native industries such as textiles, shipping, and steel-making, favouring imports from Britain and depriving local artisans and labourers of their livelihoods.
Social and Cultural Consequences: Beyond economic loss, British rule had deep social and cultural consequences. The imposition of Western education systems disrupted local culture, while British land policies turn over rural life, leaving many Indian farmers in poverty.
Cultural Manipulation and Education: Tharoor discusses how British-imposed education aimed to create a class of Indians loyal to British interests, nurturing a colonial mindset.
Impact on Agriculture and Rural Life: British policies dismantled traditional farming systems, contributing to famines and poverty among India’s rural population.

Famines, Epidemics, and Mass Suffering

Role of British Policies in Famines: Tharoor sadly recounts the devastating famines that occurred during British rule, where millions of Indians perished due to the Empire’s exploitative policies. He argues that these famines were worsened, if not caused, by British decisions, including the export of grains even during food shortages.
Epidemics and Neglect of Public Health: Public health was another area where the British failed India, as Tharoor details. Epidemics like cholera and plague spread widely due to lack of proper infrastructure and medical support, demonstrating the Crown’s disregard for Indian lives.

Shashi Tharoor’s Counterarguments to British Apologists

The “Civilizing Mission” Debunked: A central theme in An Era of Darkness is Tharoor’s rebuttal of the argument that British rule was a “civilizing” force. While apologists for the Empire often cite contributions like railways, democracy, and law as benefits, Tharoor presents these as tools of exploitation rather than humane gifts.
Railways, Democracy, and Rule of Law as “Gifts”: Tharoor argues that these “gifts” were designed primarily to serve British economic and administrative needs, not to benefit Indians. Railways, for instance, were used to transport raw materials to British ports rather than improve domestic mobility.
Critique of Claims of a Generous Rule: Tharoor challenges the portrayal of British governance as fair, highlighting the repression, massacres, and exploitation that occurred under its watch.

Tharoor’s Style and Approach in “An Era of Darkness”

Research, Wit, and Passion: Tharoor’s writing combines thorough research with sharp wit, making complex historical information accessible and engaging. He effectively uses sarcasm to expose the hypocrisies of British rule and to dismantle the arguments of colonial apologists. His tone, though often sarcastic, reflects a deep commitment to presenting the harsh truths of colonialism.
Important Examples that Highlight Tharoor’s Arguments: Throughout the book, Tharoor uses specific historical incidents, like the Amritsar massacre and the Bengal famine, to verify his points, illustrating the brutal realities of colonial policies and decisions.

Reactions and Criticisms of “An Era of Darkness”

Popular Reception in India and Globally: Tharoor’s work has resonated widely, particularly in India, where it has become a bestselling title. Many readers have lauded his research and advocacy, commending him for illuminating the darker aspects of British rule that are often overlooked in history books.
Criticisms and Opposing Views: However, the book has not been without controversy. Some historians and readers have criticized Tharoor’s interpretation as overly harsh or one-sided, while others believe his arguments are essential in reshaping the narrative surrounding colonial history.

Excerpts from An Era of Darkness

Shashi Tharoor’s An Era of Darkness brings out powerful highlights that underscore the richness of pre-colonial India and the damaging consequences of British rule. Here are some of the highlighted lines along with an exploration of their significance:

The India that the British East India Company conquered was no primitive or barren land, but the glittering jewel of the medieval world.

Tharoor illustrates India’s prosperity before British rule, challenging the colonial narrative that India was backward and in need of “civilizing.” When the British East India Company arrived, India was a global economic powerhouse, with thriving industries in textiles, arts, agriculture, and trade. India’s share of the world economy was around 23% before British intervention, underscoring how colonization drastically reduced the country’s wealth and influence.

Indeed, there were outstanding examples of good governance in India at the time, notably the Travancore kingdom, which in 1819 became the first government in the world to decree universal, compulsory, and free primary education for both boys and girls.

This line highlights that native governance systems, such as the Travancore kingdom’s policies, were progressive and focused on public welfare. Travancore’s emphasis on education and its policy of universal schooling contradicts the British portrayal of India as uneducated and backward. This decree predated similar reforms in Europe and the Western world, illustrating that Indian rulers were capable of governance and social reforms without colonial influence.

It is said that when Nadir Shah and his forces returned home, they had stolen so much from India that all taxes were eliminated in Persia for the next three years.

This line refers to the vast wealth and treasures that invaders like Nadir Shah looted from India, demonstrating India’s abundance. While Nadir Shah’s invasion was one among many, it highlights how India’s riches were a constant target. This also suggests the systematic exploitation by the British, who extracted resources and wealth for nearly two centuries, causing widespread poverty and financial ruin for India.

The East India Company created, for the first time in Indian history, the landless peasant, deprived of his traditional source of sustenance.

Tharoor reveals how British policies led to a fundamental shift in Indian society, particularly through the introduction of private property laws and revenue systems. These policies, like the Permanent Settlement Act, prioritized British revenue interests over traditional landholding patterns. This system deprived Indian farmers of their land rights and turned them into landless laborers, dependent on wages rather than self-sustenance. This led to impoverishment and instability in rural areas and is cited as a root cause of enduring poverty in the Indian agrarian sector.

These excerpts provide insight into Tharoor’s argument that British colonialism disrupted India’s social, economic, and political structures, often leaving lasting harm. The book emphasizes that British policies were not aimed at “developing” India but at extracting wealth and resources, which ultimately led to widespread suffering and degradation.

Publisher’s opinion on An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India

An Incisive Critique of British Colonialism: Shashi Tharoor’s An Era of Darkness offers a compelling, in-depth examination of British rule in India, challenging the notion of the Empire’s “civilizing mission” and highlighting the extensive socio-economic exploitation inflicted on the country.
Presenting Historical Insights: With thorough historical analysis, the book reveals India’s true state before British conquest a prosperous land with a rich culture and thriving economy disrupted and impoverished by colonial policies.
Provoking Post-Colonial Reflection: Tharoor’s work invites readers to reflect on the lasting scars left by colonialism, encouraging an acknowledgment of the deep-rooted impact that continues to shape modern India.

Final Thoughts

An Era of Darkness serves as a compelling corrective to the idealized portrayals of British colonialism, offering readers a well-researched and fervent critique of British rule in India. Tharoor’s work encourages reflection on the true impact of colonialism, dispelling myths and highlighting the devastating consequences that Britain’s presence had on India. The book is a crucial contribution to the understanding of this complex period, presenting an Indian perspective that is often sidelined.