The Ascent of John Company

From Traders to Rulers (1756-1787)

Nonfiction, History, Modern, 18th Century, Military, Other, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book The Ascent of John Company by G.S. Cheema, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: G.S. Cheema ISBN: 9781351372664
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: August 10, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: G.S. Cheema
ISBN: 9781351372664
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: August 10, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

The Ascent of John Company is the story of the founding of the British empire in India. The process of founding empires is rarely, if ever, edifying. It is invariably a sordid story of brutality and violence, tempered to some extent by blatant lies, corruption, skullduggery and intrigue. Robert Clive and Warren Hastings, the two names that come most readily to mind when one thinks of the founders, were no heroes in their times. Still less were Vansittart, Verelst, or Coote ‘Bahadur’. We have a governor who was overthrown and imprisoned by his own Councillors, and a general who had to be bribed to take the field!

Many of them were accused of atrocious crimes, of murder and extortion. Bribe taking, peculation and corruption were the least of their ‘high misdemeanours’ and the most egregious were ruined by the judicial processes to which they were subjected on their return. The word nabob, which was applied to them by their own countrymen was anything but complimentary.

The romanticization of the empire came much later; it was a phenomenon of the later Victorian period, but in spite of the fact that the empire has long since faded away, nostalgia for the Raj still lingers among some circles. For such people this volume will be a useful corrective; the past always seems better than the contentious present. Even for others, who may not see the past through rose tinted glasses, this book will help to place things in perspective. To paraphrase Dickens, ‘this is the best of times, and the worst of times’ – and it has always been so.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Ascent of John Company is the story of the founding of the British empire in India. The process of founding empires is rarely, if ever, edifying. It is invariably a sordid story of brutality and violence, tempered to some extent by blatant lies, corruption, skullduggery and intrigue. Robert Clive and Warren Hastings, the two names that come most readily to mind when one thinks of the founders, were no heroes in their times. Still less were Vansittart, Verelst, or Coote ‘Bahadur’. We have a governor who was overthrown and imprisoned by his own Councillors, and a general who had to be bribed to take the field!

Many of them were accused of atrocious crimes, of murder and extortion. Bribe taking, peculation and corruption were the least of their ‘high misdemeanours’ and the most egregious were ruined by the judicial processes to which they were subjected on their return. The word nabob, which was applied to them by their own countrymen was anything but complimentary.

The romanticization of the empire came much later; it was a phenomenon of the later Victorian period, but in spite of the fact that the empire has long since faded away, nostalgia for the Raj still lingers among some circles. For such people this volume will be a useful corrective; the past always seems better than the contentious present. Even for others, who may not see the past through rose tinted glasses, this book will help to place things in perspective. To paraphrase Dickens, ‘this is the best of times, and the worst of times’ – and it has always been so.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Modern Political Economy And Latin America by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book The Mannequins' Ball by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book Markets and Power by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book Transforming Parks and Protected Areas by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book Jewish and Muslim Dialects of Moroccan Arabic by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book Crafting Society by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book English-Lakota Dictionary by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book Unyielding Spirits by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book The International Economic Crisis and the Post-Soviet States by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book Developing Auto-instructional Materials by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book The Imperfect City: On Architectural Judgment by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book The Island Race by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book Trauma and Physical Health by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book Public Indecency in England 1857-1960 by G.S. Cheema
Cover of the book Sexual Desire Workbook by G.S. Cheema
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy