This book covers history of Indian subcontinent through the ages that Europeans but specifically the British took interest in East India and increased their influence gradually from protecting mercantile interests, to finally usurping power from the regional monarchs through a combination of treaties, alliances, diplomacies and battles. This book is a compelling and easy reading that engages the reader with its stunning pictures of contemporary paintings of relevance to the subject. Semingly disconnected events are woven together logically and connected to each other which finally reads like a well written novel. The treatment is mostly unbiased though the sentiments and feeings of subjects such as sati, religious conversions, castes, merits and demerits of hinduism, islam and christianity could have been elaborated upon a bit more to provide rationale behind these hotly debated subjects. The attititudes of noted Indo-philes was described in adequate detail and infectious interest, which correctly evokes an awe for an amazing civilization that comes to end and the birth of a newer one reflecting contemporary attitudes and outlooks. The level of detail is appropriate for those readers above 15 years and above.
A great looking book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
This book is part of a great series on history, encapsulating certain time periods in specific volumes with great text and wonderful illustrations. This particular volume lives up to its billing of Jewel in the Crown.
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