Nandini Das' 'Courting India' explores the uncertain and precarious nature of England's early imperial ambitions through Sir Thomas Roe's embassy to the Mughal court. The book is praised for its impressive scholarship and engaging narrative, offering a richly textured journey into 17th-century Mughal India and the complexities of early colonial encounters.
Nandini Das' 'Courting India' is a captivating exploration of Sir Thomas Roe's embassy to the Mughal court of Emperor Jahangir in the early 17th century. The book begins with a metaphorical map, highlighting the uncertainty and contingency of England's imperial ambitions. Das avoids the temptation to create a neat narrative leading to empire, instead presenting the 'messiness' of early colonial experiences. The narrative is richly textured, providing a deep dive into the Mughal empire and the challenges Roe faced. The book is exceptionally well-researched and thoughtfully conceptualized, making it a compelling read for both academic and general audiences. It offers a nuanced understanding of the origins of empire and the 17th-century world.
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The result is a truly impressive work of scholarship and an enthralling read.
It wears its impressive depth of research and intellectual sophistication lightly, however, weaving it deftly into a narrative that is as compelling as it is scholarly.
Roe’s frustrations at various setbacks jump off the page, as do the descriptions of Mughal opulence, of the symbolic importance of gift giving and of the intersections between high politics and personal ambitions.