Description
Book SynopsisThe first ever history of India to explore the benefits institutional, political and civil of British Colonial Rule on the subcontinent.The story of
The Making of India begins in the seventeenth century, when a small seafaring island, one tenth the size of the Indian subcontinent, despatched sailing ships over 11,000 miles on a five-month trading journey in search of new opportunities. In the end they helped build a new nation. The sheer audacity and scale of such an endeavour, the courage and enterprise, have no parallel in world history. This book is the first to assess in a single volume almost all aspects of Britain's remarkable contribution in providing India with its lasting institutional and physical infrastructure, which continues to underpin the world's largest democracy in the twenty-first century.
Trade ReviewElegant, fair and extremely well written. I am delighted that the other side of the story is being told, as it deserves to be. -- Martin Bell, British UNICEF Ambassador, former MP and war reporter
Remarkable for its scholarship, readability and message. -- Andrew Roberts, historian, visiting Professor King’s College London, author of Napoleon the Great
Absolutely excellent: informative, well argued and passionate. This book contains the seeds of future Anglo-Indian cooperation. -- Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister
This is a courageous and meticulously researched book. It challenges the fashionably negative view of the impact of the Raj on India. Dr Lalvani makes the positive case with conviction and scholarship. -- Sir Vince Cable, former British Cabinet Minister
I fully concur with Dr Lalvani that Indians should be grateful for some of the permanent blessings of colonial rule, which only the unique attributes of the British could have conferred on us. A highly educated author belonging to the brave Sikh community should declare the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. -- Professor Ram Jethmalani, MP Former Indian Cabinet Minister of Judiciary and Company Law and Chairman of the Bar Council of India
Dr Lalvani is a mover and a shaker. This remarkably scholarly book will turn old ways of thinking upside down. -- Joanna Lumley, actress, author and activist
Dr Lalvani shows his love of both countries in a generous, heart-warming contribution to our history. This book will be a bright star to which we can turn for the authoritative alternative version of how the British helped India. -- Baroness Harris, House of Lords
Dr Lalvani has laid a new foundation for our understanding of how the wide ranging infrastructure provided by the British helped prepare India for its transformation into a 21st-century power. -- Professor David Heymann, Chatham House
Extremely well judged, factually accurate, with a wealth of fascinating material … This book adds hugely to our knowledge. -- Anil Seal, Founder of The Cambridge School of Indian History
Bracingly controversial ... I defy anyone with a modicum of open-mindedness not to read
The Making Of India and concede, however grudgingly, that [the author] just might have a point * Daily Mail *
An equally wonderful and thought-provoking book that drips with complexity -- Michael Duggan * Catholic Herald, Books of the Year 2016 *
Table of ContentsForeword by Professor Ram Jethmalani, MP Preface: Time to recognise the positive side of the imperial coin 1 The Argument: Balance and Perspective 2 The East India Company: Ambitions to Rule the Waves 3 Routes to India 4 Ships and Shipbuilding: The Age of Steam 5 Ports, Harbours and Lighthouses 6 Canals and Water Supplies 7 Roads: Leaving No Stone Unturned 8 Mail Services, the Telegraph and the Telephone 9 Railways: A Network is Built with Incredible Speed 10 Locomotive Workshops and the Manufacture of Rolling Stock 11 Bridge Building 12 Foundries, Iron and Steel: The Rise of Indian Self-Sufficiency 13 Extraction Industry Development 14 Electricity Generation 15 India Adopts the Tram 16 The Textile and Jute Industries 17 Sugar, Tea and Coffee Industries 18 Early Air Services 19 Establishing an Administrative Infrastructure 20 Education and Health: Engineering and Medical Colleges 21 Indian Heritage and Culture: Conservation, Restoration and Appreciation 22 Diaspora: Migration and Opportunity
Appendix A: Milestones in the Making of India Appendix B: Biographies: British Engineers in India Bibliography Acknowledgements Index
