Book Review - The Theft of India, Roy Moxham

There has always been this question at the back of my mind - how did a land like India, of many great warriors and emperors, filled with a population of many millions ended up being enslaved by puny European armies? This book provided a comprehensive answer to that question. Starting from the arrival of the Portugese to the final, decisive Bengal battles that affirmed the British dominance across the vast land, this book covers a period of almost three centuries. The downfall of the subcontinent, began from the arrival of Vasco da Gama at the West coast. Coming originally with the intention to trade and partake in the fabled wealth of India, slowly colonizing it by acquiring land and power from each of the petty kings and landlords who were too busy in their own personal feuds to notice the change of tides, fighting off the other European powers that were eager to join the party and ultimately enslaving this vast land, stripping it of all dignity and glory - it is all in here.

The amount of corruption, treachery, selfishness, petty egos, deceit and differences that handed over 'India' to the colonial powers is sure to make your blood boil. Short. Succinct. To the point. A good read.