The Chaos of Empire: The British Raj and the Conquest of India

The British were perennial empire builders.Their rule over South Asia would last well over two hundred years. Their rule over India would last from the days of the East India Company until 1947. The reign over India had been overseen by the Mughals. The search for spices and other resources would lead to the colonization of India and their citizens. Wars would be waged for control of the Indian subcontinent, greed being the primary motive. The initial attempts at subduing the Indian people resulted in failure. The fortunes would change in the late 1700s, particularly under men such as Robert Clive who would conquer Calcutta in 1757. As time passed, the British faced headaches with colonial conquest, particularly famine and exodus. The fervor of Nationalism would lead to pitched battles in the 1900s, culminating in the Civil Disobedience led by Mohandas Gandhi, which would herald the end of the empire in India.

The Chaos of Empire is an exhaustively researched account of colonial exploitation. The tale of a long siege whose purpose was unbridled greed yet was somehow not thought out is filled with interesting characters, some benevolent, others approaching evil. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in British History and/or Indian History. An A all the way!