An Indian History of the Raj Book

Turning the traditional British-centric history of the Raj on its head, Chandrika Kaul and Ian St John have produced a fascinating history of the peoples subject to the rule of the British during the Raj. The period covered dates from 1600 with the emergence of the East India Company and ends in 1947 when India finally became an independent state but was devastated by partition, massacre and mass migration. This is a well-considered account of the impact of British rule on the political, social, cultural, intellectual and religious lives of Indians within the Raj. Subjects that are investigated in detail are the effect of British rule on the government, economy, cultural life, family life, religious life, the caste system and more. For the first time a history of Raj has been produced which gives the history of the Indians subject to British rule during that time. Chandrika Kaul and Ian St John have written a thorough and well considered account of India during the Raj giving the life experiences of those subject to British rule. The book begins in 1600 with the emergence of the East India Company and ends in 1947 with Indian independence, partition, massacre and mass migration. A narrative history is given for the entire Raj period and its impact on the Indian population is considered comprehensively. There are detailed accounts of the influence of British rule on the government, legal system, army and policing of India; the economic experience of peasants, tradesmen, craftsmen, merchants and the urban poor; the effects on family life, women, the caste system, health care and life expectancy; and impact on the cultural, intellectual, linguistic and religious spheres. This is not simply a denunciation of British rule in India, it is a re-evaluation of the time and the influences that the two cultures had on each other. Written by an Indian woman and a British man, both respected academics, the evidence is carefully considered and reviewed to assess who truly were the winners and losers during this time of profound change for both cultures. And is it possible to talk in such terms now that it is 50 years since the end of the Raj and relationships between the two independent nations are now stronger than ever?