Courting India by Nandini Das delves into the early 17th century interaction between Jacobean England and the opulent Mughal empire in India through the journals of Sir Thomas Roe who came to India in 1615. The book brings alive the cultural choreography of diplomacy, ambition, and misadventure that planted the seeds of imperial England in India.
When Roe came, Mughal India was a civilization of immense wealth and confidence, while England was grappling with financial constraints and nascent imperial identity. His journal entries and Jahangir’s memoirs paint a vivid picture of the richness of the Mughal court and that of India. It is through these journals that East India Company and British monarchy found interest in these parts of the world.
By projecting both Roe’s and Jahangir’s journals and memoirs together, the author juxtapositions their views and actions together. She shows that British rule in India was not destined but a mere chance due mainly because of the curiosity of English traders and businessmen and also the monarch.
Courting India by Nandini Das is a masterful blend of literature, history, and cultural mediation. Through meticulous research and elegant storytelling, it transports us readers into the cacophonous dance of early English-Mughal diplomacy – an encounter defined as much by misunderstanding as by mutual fascination. It stakes a bold claim in rewriting colonial origins and delivers an unforgettable read.
My rating: 5/5
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