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Europe, India, Words, People, Empires: A Journey Through 300 Years of Interconnected Histories

Andrew Bell

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Published in Europe S India: Words People Empires 1500 1800

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In this remarkable book, renowned historian Sanjay Subrahmanyam offers a sweeping account of the interconnected histories of Europe and India from 1500 to 1800. Drawing on a vast array of sources, Subrahmanyam vividly recreates the encounters between these two vastly different worlds, exploring the cultural, economic, and political exchanges that shaped their shared past.

Subrahmanyam begins his narrative in the early 16th century, when Portuguese traders first arrived on the shores of India. These early encounters were marked by a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, as Europeans sought to understand the unfamiliar world they had stumbled upon.

Europe’s India: Words, People, Empires, 1500-1800

by Sanjay Subrahmanyam

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	56670 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	404 pages

As European powers established trading posts and colonies in India, the two worlds began to interact more closely. Europeans were fascinated by India's rich culture, its ancient traditions, and its vast wealth. Indians, in turn, were intrigued by European technology, their scientific knowledge, and their political ideas.

These encounters were not always peaceful. European powers often competed for control of India's resources, leading to bloody wars and political turmoil. However, there were also periods of cooperation and exchange. European missionaries spread Christianity in India, while Indian scholars introduced European ideas to the East.

Subrahmanyam argues that the encounters between Europe and India were not simply a story of conquest and domination. Rather, they were a complex and multifaceted process that involved both cultural exchange and political struggle.

In this book, Subrahmanyam brings together a wealth of new research to offer a fresh perspective on this pivotal period in world history. He shows how the interactions between Europe and India shaped the development of both worlds, and he challenges traditional views of colonialism and globalization.

A Journey Through Time and Space

Subrahmanyam's book is a journey through time and space. It takes us from the bustling streets of Lisbon to the teeming bazaars of Delhi, from the windswept plains of Central Asia to the lush jungles of Southeast Asia.

Along the way, we meet a cast of fascinating characters: Portuguese explorers, Indian merchants, Jesuit missionaries, Mughal emperors, and British East India Company officials.

Subrahmanyam tells their stories with verve and insight, bringing to life the dramas and tensions of this extraordinary era.

A New Understanding of the Past

Europe, India, Words, People, Empires is a groundbreaking work that challenges our understanding of the past. It shows how the histories of Europe and India are inextricably linked, and it provides a new perspective on the development of the modern world.

This book is essential reading for anyone interested in world history, colonialism, or the history of India.

Reviews

"A magisterial work of scholarship that will redefine our understanding of the relationship between Europe and India." - William Dalrymple

"A brilliant and sweeping account of the interconnected histories of Europe and India. Subrahmanyam is a master storyteller who brings this fascinating period to life." - Maya Jasanoff

"A groundbreaking work that challenges traditional views of colonialism and globalization." - David Cannadine

About the Author

Sanjay Subrahmanyam is a renowned historian and author. He is a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a fellow of the British Academy.

Subrahmanyam's research focuses on the history of South Asia, the Indian Ocean, and the early modern world. He has published numerous books and articles on these topics, including The Portuguese Empire in Asia, 1500-1700 and The Career and Legend of Vasco da Gama.

Subrahmanyam is a recipient of the Infosys Prize for Social Sciences and the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards.

Europe’s India: Words, People, Empires, 1500-1800

by Sanjay Subrahmanyam

4.6 out of 5