Niall Ferguson - Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World - Heaven's Breed 2/5

Historian and presenter Niall Ferguson takes us on a fascinating journey in both time and space to explore the impact of the British empire on the modern world. From the earliest British settlers in Virginia to the decline of the empire in the aftermath of the two World Wars, positive and negative aspects of the empire are illustrated through key events and players.

Niall Ferguson uses a wealth of original sources such as quotes, documents, film footage and photographs, as well as taking a contemporary look at key locations and drawing parallels with recent history, such as the USA's war against terrorism.

The series is highly entertaining, informative and thought-provoking, and provides an excellent and balanced overview of the British empire and its continuing legacy in the world.

Part four: Heaven's Breed

In this programme we discover how a few thousand British people ruled over India, a country of more than 250 million people and the centre point of the whole British empire. Niall Ferguson demonstrates the vital role played by the Indian army both within India and beyond, and the role of British technology in developing the army and modern Indian cities. Modern-day footage of the hill station at Simla gives us a glimpse of colonial life in late 19th century India.

From the early 19th century an elite class of well-educated Indians was encouraged, with men like JN Bose becoming successful lawyers and administrators. In fact, the British administrators were so few in number that it was essential to involve Indian people in their own government. Yet by the end of the 19th century the White Mutiny threatened to end this liberal attitude and ultimately led to a genuine Nationalist movement.

Looking at the Caribbean in the same period, Niall explores the conditions for black people after the abolition of slavery and the treatment of respectable black religious leaders such as George William Gordon.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• niall
• ferguson
• empire
• britain
• made
• modern
• world

[tyrionoutrider]

Say what you will about Ferguson, this is fascinating.

[DrZenith]

@teague67 No, not a trick question but a very tough one: 'State and illustrate the nature of definition' to me means saying what you think it means to define something, some problem say, and illustrate what you mean by giving examples of it. (Personally, I think I'd skip this question and try my hand at something easier!)

[samhurst15]

@MalteseFalcon786

I've been to Shimla. Great place. Relics of empire fast evaporating, however.

[teague67]

"state and illustrate the nature of definition" this can be abbreviated to "define definition", therefore definition is the action of stating and illustrating the nature of something. it's a trick question, am i right?

[MalteseFalcon786]

Indian hill stations are truly pleasant. I've been to Ooty and Yercaud, never to Simla. Some day.