Step into an infinite world of stories
History
This is a powerful new account of a chapter in history that is crucial to understand, yet often overlooked. For 150 years, from the reign of Louis XIV to the downfall of Napoleon, France was an aggressive imperial power in South Asia, driven by the pursuit of greatness and riches. Through their East India company and state, the French established a far-reaching empire in India, only to see their dominant position undermined by conflict with Indian rulers, competition from other European nations, and a series of fatal strategic errors.
Exploding the myth of a benign French presence on the subcontinent, Robert Ivermee’s extensive research reveals how France’s Indian empire relied on war-making, conquest, opportunistic alliances, regime change and slavery to pursue its ambitions. He considers influential French figures’ reactions to the collapse of the imperial project, not least their deployment of new ideas, like freedom and the rights of man, to justify fresh ventures of domination—even as colonial authorities failed to acknowledge the equality of French India’s diverse indigenous peoples, both before and after the French Revolution.
From great power rivalry to informal empire and entrenched inequalities, Glorious Failuretackles topics that remain vital and urgent in today’s world.
© 2025 Hurst Publishers (Ebook): 9781805265429
Release date
Ebook: 10 July 2025
Tags
Over 950 000 titles
Kids Mode (child safe environment)
Download books for offline access
Cancel anytime
For those who want to listen and read without limits.
1 account
Unlimited Access
Unlimited listening
Cancel anytime
For those who want to listen and read without limits.
1 account
Unlimited Access
Unlimited listening
Cancel anytime
For those who want to listen and read without limits.
1 account
Unlimited Access
Unlimited listening
Cancel anytime
For those who want to share stories with family and friends.
2-3 accounts
Unlimited Access
Unlimited listening
Cancel anytime
2 accounts
S$14.90 /monthEnglish
Singapore
