Empireland Summary

Summary of Empireland Book by Sathnam Sanghera

Name: Empireland
Rating: 4.5 (1826 reviews)
Author: Sathnam Sanghera

4.5 . 1826 reviews

Short summary

What Britain is today comes from the experiences of the past, and we need to become more aware of these. The aim of “Empireland,” a British-Indian’s investigation of British colonial history, is to unearth the seemingly buried past that is having a tremendous impact on modern-day living. The recent demolitions of statues that represent an ugly past do not tell half of the story of how deeply the British empire has influenced most of our lives. Sathnam Sanghera, a British journalist and author, was born in Wolverhampton to Punjabi parents who had emigrated from India about a decade earlier. He shows that even the English Language is a product of Britain’s relationship with other parts of the world through the empire. Business, sports, and street names have deep undertones of an imperial past. “Imperialism is not something that can be erased with a few statues being torn down or a few institutions facing up to their dark pasts; it exists as a legacy in my very being and, more widely, explains nothing less than who we are as a nation.” ~ Sathnam Sanghera

13 min

7 key points

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Table of content

Summary of Empireland
About the author
What is Empireland about?
Who should read Empireland
Topics in Empireland

first key point

Imperialism is woven into the fabric of Great Britain

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An exploration of British colonial history reveals that the country’s modern identity is inseparably linked with the British empire. Apart from the numerous statues in honor of imperialists, schools named after them, and apologies for past deeds, there are more profound ways in which the British empire has affected us all. To illustrate, the Earl of Meath campaigned for the establishment of Empire Day to celebrate the achievements of British imperialism. He succeeded in 1916 when the British government made Empire Day official. Though it was renamed British Commonwealth Day in 1958, Empire Day achieved its aim of promoting colonialism. And today, there is a need for a sort of Empire Day 2.0 with a different focus: to teach people how colonialism has shaped the Britain we have today.

The English Language itself exists as a living monument to Britain’s deep and complex relationship with the world through the empire. ~ Sathnam Sanghera

In the Hobson-Jobson Dictionary, we find that “Dam” was formerly one-fortieth of a rupee that was considered worthless. Britons in India were known to employ the phrase, “I won’t give a dumri,” the source of the expression: “I don’t give a damn!”

In terms of economics, Shell was established by Marcus Samuel, an importer of seashells from the Far East. It was this business that morphed into the oil company. Wembley Stadium was formerly known as the Empire Stadium. It was built for the 1924 Empire Exhibition.

The foundations for the British empire were arguably laid in 1497 by John Cabot, who set sail from Bristol City.

London, Glasgow, and almost every other major city in Britain have imperial history etched into their DNA. The concept of free school meals in schools originated from the empire. Some historians argue that the social reforms that produced the current welfare state mostly stemmed from a political quest to maintain imperialism and prevent unrest. Culinary is not left out because most of the mainstream dishes originated from our colonial past. When you think the royal family is as British as you get, you should remember that not only does the family have foreign roots, but Queen Victoria was known to have spoken German and was dubbed “Empress of India.”

Did you know? “Juggernaut is a corruption of the Sanskrit term “Jagannatha” that means “Lord of the Universe.”

second key point

British empire shaped most parts of the world

British multiculturalism comes from the country’s colonization of almost a quarter of the world. Note that “Orders of the British Empire” are still being conferred on people considered deserving of them. Virtually all aspects of our lives are influenced by imperialism. There is hardly a part of the world today where you do not find Britons. The idea of Brexit is laughable because there is indeed no way in which we are alone or can be separate from others.

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third key point

Empire has a convoluted history that makes amateurs decide to avoid investigating it

fourth key point

The empire had different approaches to power across the globe

fifth key point

The empire spared no expense in looting artifacts and priceless ornaments from their colonies

sixth key point

The multiculturalism in Britain today is attributable to the empire

seventh key point

Conclusion

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What is Empireland about?

"Empireland" by Sathnam Sanghera explores the profound impact of imperialism on modern Britain. Through a thought-provoking analysis, Sanghera delves into the historical, cultural, and social consequences of Britain's imperial past. From the British Empire's rise and fall to its lasting influence on politics, race, and identity, this book offers a compelling examination of how imperialism continues to shape the nation's present and future.

Who should read Empireland

History enthusiasts seeking to understand the lasting impact of British imperialism.
Students studying the effects of colonialism on contemporary Britain.
Individuals interested in exploring the complex relationship between empire and identity.

Topics in Empireland

British History Colonialism Cultural History Immigration Misinformation Politics Social History Sociology the Middle East Irish History Mexican History Russian History

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