One small event in 18th-century India has proved an enduring myth, and an enduring puzzle. In 1756, the Nawab of Bengal besieged the British East India Company's fort at Calcutta, and 146 people were locked in a tiny cell. The following morning, only 23 emerged: all the rest had died horribly of suffocation or thirst. That is the version enshrined in the history books for centuries. But was it true? What really happened in the Black Hole is shrouded by layers of self-interest, emotion and propaganda. Its real power is as a ...
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One small event in 18th-century India has proved an enduring myth, and an enduring puzzle. In 1756, the Nawab of Bengal besieged the British East India Company's fort at Calcutta, and 146 people were locked in a tiny cell. The following morning, only 23 emerged: all the rest had died horribly of suffocation or thirst. That is the version enshrined in the history books for centuries. But was it true? What really happened in the Black Hole is shrouded by layers of self-interest, emotion and propaganda. Its real power is as a symbol. Jan Dalley takes us through a rattling history of the buccaneer 'hatmen' of the East India Company, tracing the growth of the fledgling city of Calcutta. She brilliantly, and with fabulous and pointed detail, describes the places and the people of this amazing story, whether it is the Eurasian teenage bride Mary Carey, the lone woman survivor, the weak English officer class running the Fort of Calcutta, or the imperious, truculent Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daulah. The way in which the narrative was told and re-told, and how it became one of those stories around which nations form an idea of themselves, is the focus of this book. "The Black Hole" will fascinate everyone interested in India, in British history and in a new look at Empire.
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Add this copy of The Black Hole to cart. $5.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Penguin.
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Add this copy of The Black Hole: Money, Myth and Empire to cart. $15.63, very good condition, Sold by John C. Newland rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Cheltenham, Glos., UNITED KINGDOM, published 2006 by Penguin/Fig Tree.
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F- in F jacket. F-/F. 8vo. original red boards gilt (texter mark to tail edge, denoting remaindered copy) in dustwrapper; pp. xviii (last blank), 222, with illustrations & endpaper maps. A fine copy.
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This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 500grams, ISBN: 9780670914470.
Add this copy of The Black Hole: Money, Myth and Empire to cart. $25.00, like new condition, Sold by Southampton Sag Harbor Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southampton, NY, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Penguin/Fig Tree.
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Like New in Like New jacket. First Edition, First Printing. Not price-clipped (£16.99 price intact). Published by Penguin/ Fig Tree, 2006. Octavo. Red cloth boards stamped in gold with cartographic endpapers. Book is like new; clean with no writing or names. Sharp corners and spine straight. Binding tight and pages crisp. Dust jacket is like new with light shelf wear and a few nicks. 222 pages. ISBN: 0670914479. 100% positive feedback. 30 day money back guarantee. NEXT DAY SHIPPING! Excellent customer service. Please email with any questions or if you would like a photo. All books packed carefully and ship with free delivery confirmation/tracking. All books come with free bookmarks. Ships from Southampton, New York. We Buy Books! Individual titles, libraries, collections. Message us if you have books to sell!
