Articles features
Did the British Empire have any benefits for India? No, says Tharoor
By
Vikas DattaJaipur, Jan 25
How should we view the British Empire and its legacy for its former colonies? Was it one of the world's greatest modernising forces, as some historians claim, or was it only a destructive bane? The latter, says Congress politician Shashi Tharoor who maintains the only two benefits for India were cricket and the English language.
Tharoor contested the contentions of co-panellist, British historian, author and MP Tristram Hunt, that the benefits included rule of law and an effective parliamentary system, saying he was not sure how good the latter has been for India.
"The system of governance of a small island nation was sought to be transplanted to a nation where there were not only ideological differences, but a bewildering range of diversities," he said, at a session titled "Empire" at the Jaipur Literature Festival here on Monday.
On the idea of rule of law, Tharoor contended it was part of the normal evolution of society and India could have achieved it for itself.
"You don't need foreigners to come and oppress you for benefit of development," he asserted.
"(Historian) Niall Ferguson (who has termed the British Empire a great modernising force) has not questioned for whose benefit it was done. I only accept cricket and the English language," said Tharoor.
Hunt, who had stepped in for Ferguson who wasn't able to make it for the event, contended that there was renewed interest in the Empire in his country -- where it had been absent for years from the school curriculum -- as Britain took decisions on its place in the world.
The author of "Ten Cities that Made an Empire", which seeks to chart the changing nature of the British Empire through 10 (formerly) imperial cities spread though out the world, Hunt said the empire had had an influence on his country too -- and still has.
"British politics are becoming like Indian politics. The centralised system is shifting to a more federal system... we are willing to take coalition partners," he said.
On the question of financial compensation for the damages to the former colonies' social and economic fabric, Tharoor, who had made headlines by making the demand at a debate in Oxford, said it should be a token amount, say a pound for every year of rule, rather than a ridiculous amount as had been calculated and would be "an exercise in absurdity and futility", could never be paid and besides, "India couldn't even know what to do with all that money".
Hunt noted that such a demand was more advanced in the former Caribbean colonies, but they instead of money, had sought help in education and development.
On whether bygones should be bygones, Tharoor said he agreed. "History cannot be undone. But it haunts our past and affects the future. By all means let bygones be bygones, but never forget it... we must remember it."
Hunt said he agreed. "We must interrogate, analyse and reinterpret the bygones," he said, adding he was quite sceptical of official apologies for historical wrongs.
(Vikas Datta can be contacted at [email protected])
Tharoor contested the contentions of co-panellist, British historian, author and MP Tristram Hunt, that the benefits included rule of law and an effective parliamentary system, saying he was not sure how good the latter has been for India.
"The system of governance of a small island nation was sought to be transplanted to a nation where there were not only ideological differences, but a bewildering range of diversities," he said, at a session titled "Empire" at the Jaipur Literature Festival here on Monday.
On the idea of rule of law, Tharoor contended it was part of the normal evolution of society and India could have achieved it for itself.
"You don't need foreigners to come and oppress you for benefit of development," he asserted.
"(Historian) Niall Ferguson (who has termed the British Empire a great modernising force) has not questioned for whose benefit it was done. I only accept cricket and the English language," said Tharoor.
Hunt, who had stepped in for Ferguson who wasn't able to make it for the event, contended that there was renewed interest in the Empire in his country -- where it had been absent for years from the school curriculum -- as Britain took decisions on its place in the world.
The author of "Ten Cities that Made an Empire", which seeks to chart the changing nature of the British Empire through 10 (formerly) imperial cities spread though out the world, Hunt said the empire had had an influence on his country too -- and still has.
"British politics are becoming like Indian politics. The centralised system is shifting to a more federal system... we are willing to take coalition partners," he said.
On the question of financial compensation for the damages to the former colonies' social and economic fabric, Tharoor, who had made headlines by making the demand at a debate in Oxford, said it should be a token amount, say a pound for every year of rule, rather than a ridiculous amount as had been calculated and would be "an exercise in absurdity and futility", could never be paid and besides, "India couldn't even know what to do with all that money".
Hunt noted that such a demand was more advanced in the former Caribbean colonies, but they instead of money, had sought help in education and development.
On whether bygones should be bygones, Tharoor said he agreed. "History cannot be undone. But it haunts our past and affects the future. By all means let bygones be bygones, but never forget it... we must remember it."
Hunt said he agreed. "We must interrogate, analyse and reinterpret the bygones," he said, adding he was quite sceptical of official apologies for historical wrongs.
(Vikas Datta can be contacted at [email protected])
12 hours ago
Mumbai hoarding crash rescue operation ends after 60 hours; rubble clearance work underway
12 hours ago
Five Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza by errant Israeli tank shelling
12 hours ago
Sudan denies reports of visa denial to US envoy
15 hours ago
New Leadership Sworn In by Federation of Indian Associations Chicago
15 hours ago
India-American investor and two others appointed to OneStar Foundation by Texas Governor
15 hours ago
Extended stay in the US allowed for laid-off H-1B workers
16 hours ago
House members in the United States have introduced bills to codify the country's approach to the Indian Ocean.
16 hours ago
United Nations: One-Third Increase in Youth Attempting Perilous Darien Gap Crossing
16 hours ago
Desis Decide Summit: Kamala Harris Encourages Indian-Americans to Boost Political Engagement
17 hours ago
Jagan Mohan Reddy confident of YSRCP retaining power with more seats than 2019 tally
17 hours ago
Chinese marketplace Temu under scanner for breaching EU's Digital Services Act
17 hours ago
Indian pilot to tour space on Blue Origin's next flight on May 19
17 hours ago
'iPad campaign was a major fumble': Tim Cook to 22-yr-old Indian student