Empire Building

Empire Building is a new account of the East India Company's impact on India focusing on how it changed the sub-continent's built environment in the context of defense urbanization and infrastructural development.. Rosie Llewellyn-Jones examines these initiatives through a lens of 'political building' (using Indian contractors and laborers). Railways docks municipal buildings freemasons' lodges hotels race-courses barracks cemeteries statues canals-everything the British erected made a political statement even if unconsciously; hence this book is concerned less with architectural styles more with subtle infiltration into the minds of those who saw and used these structures. It assesses in turn Indian responses to the changing landscape. Indians often reacted favorably to new manufacturing technologies from Britain like minting and gunpowder while the British learnt from and adapted local methods.. From military engineers and cartography to imported raw metals and steam power Llewellyn-Jones considers the social and environmental changes wrought by colonialism. This period was marked by a shift from formerly private Indian-controlled functions like education entertainment trading and healing to British public institutions like universities theatres chambers of commerce and hospitals.. Stepping aside from ongoing colonialism debates this is a fascinating account of India's physical transformation during the Company period.