Author Description
In the foreword to the first edition Geoffrey Moorhouse wrote: 'In a sense, the story of Calcutta is the story of India... It is the story of how and why Empire was created and what happened when Empire finished... The imperial residue of Calcutta, a generation after Empire ended, is both a monstrous and a marvellous city. Journalism and television have given us a rough idea of the monstrosities but none at all of the marvels. I can only hope to define the first more clearly and to persuade anyone interested that the second is to be found there too'. Geoffrey Moorhouse succeeds triumphantly in his aims. First published in 1971 this title has stood the test of time. Remarkably it was the first full-length study of Calcutta, seat of the British Raj, since 1918. 'The book is organized out of a profound understanding of the true issues and is brilliantly executed.' Paul Scott, Guardian
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the historical trajectory and cultural identity of Calcutta to explain the rise and fall of the British Empire in India. Geoffrey Moorhouse, an experienced journalist and author, utilizes a blend of historical research and on-the-ground observation to examine the city's dual nature. He argues that Calcutta serves as a microcosm for the broader Indian experience, reflecting both the administrative legacy of the Raj and the enduring vitality of the local population.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Historical analysis of Calcutta from the colonial era through the post-independence period.
- Examination of the socio-political impact of the British Raj on urban development.
- Cultural and architectural surveys of the city's diverse neighborhoods.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on the period leading up to the early 1970s and does not cover contemporary developments in the 21st century.
- It does not provide an exhaustive economic data set but rather a narrative-driven social history.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Critics and historians frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the colonial legacy of Calcutta. Readers often note the prose is highly descriptive and provides a balanced view of the city's complex historical contradictions.
Page Count:
384
Publication Date:
1985-01-01
Publisher:
Holt, Rinehart and Winston
ISBN-10:
0030042178
ISBN-13:
9780030042171
History
Social History
Travelogue
British Empire
Urban Studies
India
Asia
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