One small event in 18th-century India has proved an enduring myth, and an enduring puzzle. In 1756, the Nawab of Bengal besieged the British East India Company's fort at Calcutta, and 146 people were locked in a tiny cell. The following morning, only 23 emerged: all the rest had died horribly of suffocation or thirst. That is the version enshrined in the history books for centuries. But was it true? What really happened in the Black Hole is shrouded by layers of self-interest, emotion and propaganda. Its real power is as a ...
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One small event in 18th-century India has proved an enduring myth, and an enduring puzzle. In 1756, the Nawab of Bengal besieged the British East India Company's fort at Calcutta, and 146 people were locked in a tiny cell. The following morning, only 23 emerged: all the rest had died horribly of suffocation or thirst. That is the version enshrined in the history books for centuries. But was it true? What really happened in the Black Hole is shrouded by layers of self-interest, emotion and propaganda. Its real power is as a symbol. Jan Dalley takes us through a rattling history of the buccaneer 'hatmen' of the East India Company, tracing the growth of the fledgling city of Calcutta. She brilliantly, and with fabulous and pointed detail, describes the places and the people of this amazing story, whether it is the Eurasian teenage bride Mary Carey, the lone woman survivor, the weak English officer class running the Fort of Calcutta, or the imperious, truculent Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daulah. The way in which the narrative was told and re-told, and how it became one of those stories around which nations form an idea of themselves, is the focus of this book. "The Black Hole" will fascinate everyone interested in India, in British history and in a new look at Empire.
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Seller's Description:
Good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
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Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 500grams, ISBN: 9780670914470.
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Seller's Description:
F- in F jacket. F-/F. 8vo. original red boards gilt (texter mark to tail edge, denoting remaindered copy) in dustwrapper; pp. xviii (last blank), 222, with illustrations & endpaper maps. A fine copy.
