Who authored the book, “An Era of Darkness” ?

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: (d) Shashi Tharoor

Explanation:
The book “An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India” was authored by Shashi Tharoor and published in 2016. This book critically examines the impact of British colonial rule in India, debunking the myth that the British Empire was beneficial for India. Tharoor argues that British policies led to economic exploitation, famines, and cultural destruction while systematically draining India's wealth.

The book is based on Tharoor’s famous 2015 Oxford Union debate speech, where he argued that the British should apologize for the atrocities committed during colonial rule. It highlights how the British Raj impoverished India, dismantled its industries, and created artificial divisions that led to long-term socio-political instability.

Information Booster:
● Published in 2016, this book became a bestseller for its detailed critique of British colonialism.
● It exposes British policies such as taxation, forced famines, deindustrialization, and divide-and-rule strategies.
● Tharoor refutes the argument that the British modernized India by demonstrating how they exploited India's resources.
● The book discusses historical events like the Bengal Famine of 1943, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, and the role of the British in partition.
● It draws comparisons between pre-colonial India’s economy and how British rule led to India’s decline.

Additional Knowledge:

• (a) Pandit Sunderlal: He was an Indian historian and writer but did not author this book. He wrote about India’s freedom struggle and partition history.
• (b) Christopher Bayly: A British historian known for works on Indian history and colonialism, but he did not write “An Era of Darkness.”
• (c) Asaf Ali: An Indian freedom fighter and politician, not known for authoring historical books on British rule.