Books by Prasannan (Boston College Parthasarathi

A striking new answer to the classic question of why Europe industrialised and Asia did not. Focusing on divergence from the perspective of the Indian subcontinent, Prasannan Parthasarathi points to the plural paths of economic development which resulted from the very different pressures and needs that Europe and Asia faced.

Contrary to popular belief that poverty has been characteristic of India for centuries, the author demonstrates that, it was not until the rise of colonial rule that the decline in the economic fortunes of the labouring communities was initiated. The book represents a powerful revisionist statement on Britain in India.