The Anarchy

The Relentless Rise of the East India Company" by William Dalrymple. It is a Sunday Times bestseller and has been highly praised by critics and readers alike.

The book delves into the history of the East India Company and its transformation from an international trading corporation to a powerful colonial force in India. In August 1765, the East India Company defeated the young Mughal emperor and established its own administration in the richest provinces of India. The new regime was run by English merchants who used a ruthless private army to collect taxes and exert control over the region.

William Dalrymple's account provides a fresh and comprehensive perspective on the East India Company's actions and influence, shedding light on its rise to power and its impact on India's history. The book serves as a cautionary tale of the rise of the first global corporate power and offers valuable insights into the complexities of colonialism and corporate imperialism.

The work has received accolades from various sources, including being named one of Barack Obama's best books of 2019 and winning The Times History Book of the Year. It was also a finalist for the Cundill History Prize in 2020 and longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction in 2019. Critics have praised Dalrymple's storytelling and his deep understanding of India's history, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read for those interested in this period of history and its implications.