The Anarchy

The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire by William Dalrymple is a meticulously researched and compellingly written historical account that delves into the rise and fall of the East India Company (EIC). Here are the key aspects of the book: Historical Insight Dalrymple provides a vivid and detailed narrative of the EIC, from its inception as a modest trading entity in the early 17th century to its transformation into a powerful corporate juggernaut that controlled vast swathes of India. The book chronicles the period from 1599, when the EIC was established, to 1803, when it conquered Delhi, marking the beginning of British colonial rule in India. Corporate Exploitation and Violence The title "The Anarchy" reflects the chaotic and violent period in Indian history during which the EIC exploited local rivalries and leveraged its growing military power to establish dominance. Dalrymple highlights the corporate greed and ruthless tactics employed by the EIC, emphasizing how it operated more like a predatory private enterprise than a traditional colonial power. The book underscores the devastating impact of the EIC's policies on Indian society, economy, and polity. Personalities and Politics Dalrymple brings to life a range of historical figures, from EIC officials like Robert Clive and Warren Hastings to Indian rulers such as Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula. He examines their motivations, strategies, and the interplay of personalities and politics that shaped this tumultuous era. The narrative is enriched by Dalrymple's use of primary sources, including letters, diaries, and contemporary accounts, which provide authenticity and depth. Literary Style Dalrymple's writing is both scholarly and accessible, making "The Anarchy" suitable for both academic audiences and general readers interested in history. His storytelling prowess keeps the reader engaged, and his ability to contextualize historical events within broader social and economic trends adds layers of understanding. Critical Reception "The Anarchy" has been praised for its thorough research, balanced perspective, and engaging prose. Critics have lauded Dalrymple for shedding light on a critical but often overlooked aspect of colonial history and for his ability to convey the complexities of this period in a nuanced manner. The book has also sparked discussions about the legacy of colonialism and the role of corporate power in shaping world history. William Dalrymple's "The Anarchy" is a masterful account of the East India Company's rise to power and its profound impact on India. It offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of corporate exploitation and the historical consequences of unchecked corporate power. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of India, colonialism, and the dynamics of corporate imperialism.

An absolutely fascinating account of how a bunch of traders from a small London-based company managed to dethrone the mighty Mughals, the richest empire in the world at that time, and got to become rulers of India. A must read not only for everyone interested in Indian history, but also for highlighting the ills of unbridled corporate greed and personal enrichment that the East India Company displayed. Perhaps the best historical book that I have ever read, and I have read quite a few! Meticulous research, attention to fine detail and a racy style combine to make this a great book!!

The Anarchy is a popular history book on the East Indian Company(EIC) in 18th Century India. Dalrymple regale us the rise of the EIC from a Tudor privateering operation full of ex-Caribbean privates to an imperial power. Considering that the British were pretty late to the spice trade in India compared to the Portuguese, Dutch, and the French, their raise as an imperial power is extraordinary. Rise of of the first Multinational Corporation: East Indian Company(EIC) basically invented corporate lobbying, insider training and first corporate bail out, and all the other things we loathe about modern corporation. EIC developed a symbiotic relationship with the British Parliamentarians. Company men like Clive used the looted money from India to buy both MPs and parliamentary seats. The Parliament backed the Company with state power because many MPs were shareholders of EIC and any action against the company will affect their personal wealth. Silk, Spices and Sepoy: Thanks to the dwindling military and financial power of the Mughals, a huge military labor market sprang up all across India. Dalrymple describes this as one of the most thriving free markets of fighting men anywhere in the world- all up for sale to the highest bidder. Warfare become a business enterprise and substantial section of peasants spent part of their time year as mercenaries. EIC were better off financially and were able to pay the sepoys the promised wage on time than many local rulers. EIC were using as much as 80% Indian sepoyts in many of their battles. The British very really lucky: Although popular theories propose that the success of the EIC can be attributed to the fragmenting to Mughal India into tiny competing states; the military tech of the Europeans and innovation of banking, taxing and administration of the Anglo-saxons, one of the recurring themes that I found is how lucky in the may of the battles. Yes, the above theories are probably true and East India Company troop were more disciplined than their Indian rivals; but its incredible how consistently lucky the British were. Break the Rules: Warfare in India were actually done in gentlemanly manner. The Mughals. Marathas and other local rulers pursued negotiation, bribery and paying tribute. In case of actual conquest, there are rules by which they abide by. The Company men, especially Robert Clive, who committed suicide at the age of 49(Hope someone soon writes a biography on this truly appalling character), constantly breaking the rules like attacking at night and attacking at thunderstorm etc. Why we need to learn to negotiate? Mughals were completely clueless about who corporation functions or how unsavory Clive operates as an Profiteer. Ghulam Hussain Khan says a sale of jackass would have taken up more time than the time taken for the Treaty of Allahbad. Post Treaty of Allahabad, EIC used Indian tax revenue to purchase textiles and spies. Even at the time of famines EIC enforces tax collection to maintain their revenue and growing military expenditure. At the height of the famine, English merchants engaged in grain hoarding, profiteering and speculation. North vs South India? Even after Battle of Plassey, Cavalry was the dominant form of warfare in northern India and continued to fight each other despite the growing domination of the British. However the south was every quick to copy and learn the military innovations of the Europeans. Haider Ali had a modern infantry and his troops were more innovative and tactically ahead of EIC. They mastered the art of firing rockets long before the English. Nana Phadnavus, ‘the Maratha Machiavelli’, after the Treaty of Wadgaon, proposed a Triple Alliance between the Marathas, Haider and the Nizam of Hyderabad. Indian Bankers love the Company: The rise of EIC as an imperial power would not be possible with out the Indian bankers. The Indian financiers saw greater advantage in keeping the Company in power than they did supporting their own. By 1803, Indian bankers were competing with one another to back the company’s army. In the end its the Company’s ability to mobilize money have them the edge over the Marathas and Tipu Sultan. It was no longer the superior European military technology. Bengal alone was annually yeilding a steady revenue surplus of Rs 25 million at the time when Scindia struggled to net Rs 2 million. The biggest firm of the period – the houses of Lala Kashmiri Mal, Ramchand-Gopalchand Shahu and Gopaldas-Manohardas – helped the military finance of the British. The Company duly rewarded the invaluable services in 1782 by making the house of Gopaldas the government’s banker. Richard Wellesley managed raise Rs 10 million with the support of Marwari bankers of Bengal to fight the Fourth Anglo-Mysore war. Final nail in the coffin: Following the victory of the Battle of Delhi, EIC defeated the last indigenous power. Now linked Bengal, Madras and Bombay while imposing itself as Regent under the Mughals. My only complaints is that the book doesn’t drive into the financial details of the Company despite the wealth information available. A bit of financial history of the Company would have helped us understand the nature of the Company better. Overall an entertaining history book. highly recommended.

Book Review The Anarchy follows a long line of illustrious books by Historian and travel writer William Dalrymple. I fell in love with Non Fiction thanks to WD and his seminal works White Mughals and The Last Mughal. Then took to reading nearly everything he has written, the last one being the story of The Kohinoor. Don't let the size of The Anarchy intimidate you, thick as it is because nearly one fourth of the book is citations and references. After all the Book has taken seven years to research and put together. Dalrymple is very clear as to the purpose of the Book: "This Book does not aim to provide a complete history of the East India Company, still less an economic analysis of its business operations. Instead it is an attempt to answer the question of how a single business operation, based in one London office complex, managed to replace the mighty Mughal Empire as masters of the vast subcontinent between the years 1756 and 1803." One by one the company engaged , warred with and defeated its principal rivals- the nawabs of Bengal and Avadh, Tipu Sultan's Mysore Sultanate and the great Maratha Confederacy. The leading cast of characters include several noteworthy Company Officials and Governor Generals starting with Robert Clive who laid the foundations of British Rule in India uptil the two Wellesleys (Richard and Colenl Arthur). Then there is the French who lost the wars and ceded Indian territories to the EIC, the Mughals whose decline began on the death of Aurangzeb, the Nawabs of Bengal and Avadh who were betrayed by their own. The fierce Rohillas, the Sultans of Mysore who put up formidable resistance to the EIC defeating them initially and the Marathas who despite their bravery, modern army, guerilla tactics could not unite Formed in 1599 with an objective to target the promising sectors of the trade of Asia all of which were in India, the first EIC ships and representatives to land on Indian coast in 1608 were barely able to make any headway with Mughal emperor Jehangir and in fact their ships were driven away by the Portuguese. By the time the Book ends, the blind and old Mughal emperor Shah Alam is the puppet Emperor subservient to British EIC's rule who now have almost the entire Indian peninsula under their control. The EIC grew in riches and revenues to become the largest corporation of its time guzzling vastly rich and prosperous provinces like Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Madras but also very nearly bankrupted itself, running up huge debts causing the Crown to takeover fully much later. In the Epilogue Dalrymple writes eloquently of why the story of the East India Company and the way corporations subvert State power for monopoly and immense profits is relevant even today. The book reads like a racy thriller with a fast paced narrative and details of many of the wars, military tactics, weaponry used by all sides in battles. Several historical translated works have been referred and they provide a rich insightful glimpse into both the thinking of East India officials and Governors stationed in India and corrspondence of the various Indian rulers. All in all, a brilliant read , one that is sure to keep you awake late into the night

A gripping historical account of how a private British trading company transformed into a powerful colonial force that conquered and ruled vast parts of India. In short, Dalrymple tells the astonishing story of the East India Company, which, starting in the 1600s, gradually shifted from trade to conquest, eventually toppling the mighty Mughal Empire by the mid-18th century. He paints it as the world’s first corporate takeover of a country, driven by profit, political manipulation, and military force. The book blends meticulous research with vivid storytelling, bringing to life both the Indian rulers and British figures involved. Dalrymple also draws parallels to modern corporate power and unchecked capitalism.

Very good book

Another exemplary work of Mr. Dalrymple. His emphasis on the corporate nature of the Company and how it clashed with the traditional Indian statecraft of dynastic despotism is the important highlight of this work. In the era of historical revisionism, this book breaths fresh air and helps in evolving better understanding of the complex nature of the English East India Company

Wonderfully written book of 18th Century India and it`s conquest by East India Company.Author paints `excesses `of a multinational corporation in 18th century India. However India was for the taking for many european countries (Portugese , French and Dutch and others), I genuinely believe British were the better lot amongst them. We got - concept of a country - basics of democracy - Discipline instead of ingrained `Jugaad` -provision of Liberal education- - respect of Law which is so much important. If not the EIC , India would have been looted by it`s own kings or by other european countries and the anarchy would have continued. They won simply because of better strategy , carrying other cultures amongst them , largely leaving local customs and religions intact. I was also astonished that British Parliament did try to control EIC even in 18 Century and Wellesley was more of nominee of British Government than that of EIC. To give examples if Portugese had prevailed India would have become a Roman Catholic country and Tipu Sultan had won India would have become an Islamic Kingdom by force. So , Mr Dalrymple , don`t carry white man`s guilt , EIC prevailed simply because it was better than others and India is better off with this company than with others during 18 Century.