In the eighteenth century, India's share of the world economy was as large as Europe's. By 1947 it had decreased six-fold. British imperialism justified itself as enlightened despotism for the benefit of the governed, but Shashi Tharoor demolishes this position, demonstrating how every supposed imperial 'gift' - from the railways to the rule of law - was designed in Britain's interests alone. Tharoor exposes to devastating effect the inglorious reality of Britain's Indian legacy.