The Anarchy

Book Details

• Author: William Dalrymple

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

• Language: English

• Edition: First Edition

• ISBN: 9781526656520

• Pages: 576

• Cover: Paperback

• Package Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 2.0 inches

About the Book
The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire by William Dalrymple offers a captivating and deeply researched account of one of the most influential—and controversial—forces in world history. This gripping narrative traces the rise of the East India Company from a commercial enterprise to a ruthless colonial power, detailing how it maneuvered its way into control of vast territories in India after defeating the Mughal emperor in 1765.

Dalrymple, one of the foremost historians of India, reveals the brutal and transformative tactics that allowed the Company to function as a private army, effectively shaping India’s political and economic landscape. The book explores how this early example of corporate imperialism laid the foundations for modern colonialism, offering a cautionary tale about the dangers of unregulated corporate power.

Acclaimed as one of Barack Obama’s favorite books of 2019 and the Times History Book of the Year, The Anarchy is a critical and timely exploration of the East India Company’s legacy. It combines meticulous research with vivid storytelling, painting a picture of the Company's destructive impact on India while providing a broader commentary on global corporate dominance. A finalist for the Cundill History Prize and longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize, this book is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of India, colonialism, and global capitalism.