Partner in Empire - by Blair B Kling (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Partner in Empire: Dwarkanath Tagore and the Age of Enterprise in Eastern India presents a detailed exploration of the life and ambitions of Dwarkanath Tagore, a visionary entrepreneur and civic leader in 19th-century Bengal. Set against the backdrop of British colonial expansion and the industrial revolution, the book examines Tagore's efforts to foster an interracial partnership between Indians and British settlers. Tagore sought to transform India into a modern, industrialized society with a robust infrastructure and a spirit of cooperation across racial and cultural lines. Through pioneering ventures such as coal mining, steam navigation, and banking, Tagore aimed to lay the groundwork for industrial growth in eastern India, making Calcutta a hub of innovation and progress.

However, the book also critically analyzes the factors that led to the eventual stagnation of industrial development in Bengal. From economic challenges like fluctuating markets and an unfavorable trade balance to the cultural and social hesitations of the Bengali elite, the book unpacks the multifaceted reasons behind the region's failure to capitalize on its potential. Drawing comparisons with Bombay's entrepreneurial resilience, the narrative highlights how Bengal's zamindari culture and the bhadralok's aversion to business hindered sustainable industrial growth. Through a rich blend of historical detail and economic analysis, Partner in Empire offers a profound understanding of a pivotal moment in India's history, capturing both the promise and the missed opportunities of an age of enterprise.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1976.