The Great Defiance: How the world took on the British Empire

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In this episode, I've had the pleasure of talking with a good friend of the podcast, Alvaro Gomez Velasco, our eyewitness on contemporary politics in Spain. We explore the recent rise of right wing populism across Europe and the growth of the Vox movement in Spain. Examining the legacy of Franco, the suppression of the Catalan independence movement and the issue of immigration, we explore the reasons for a resurgence of the right in Spain and the prospects for the left in the future. Despite the impression of imperial eccentricity conjured by his name, Moon was a sober observer of the British dominion in India. He thought it had done some good and some bad things, and that its eventual demise was long overdue. Dismissed by the British government for being too sympathetic toward Indian nationalists, he later spent 14 years holding important positions within the government of independent India at the invitation of its new rulers. Despite having many reasons to do so, they did not hate British people such as Moon anywhere near so much as Veevers seems to. In Chapter 5 and Chapter 6, for example, we read about the extremely violent series of raids and counter-raids that characterised much of the intercourse between the British, French, and indigenous Kalinago people in the 17th-century Lesser Antilles. Larger-than-life personalities, treachery, and innovative tactics make for a fascinating account. On a much bigger scale, the sophisticated military cultures that developed in Mughal and Maratha India are well described, as are some of the major clashes they produced.

A big plus here is the book’s entertainment value. The style is lively, the subjects and locations wide-ranging. There is a lot to learn about the cultures the British encountered, their histories and motivations. A good example would be the Maratha empire in north-central India and its struggle with the longer established Mughals. This is context for explaining the importance and success of the Marathas in resisting British ambitions, but it also serves as a taster for anyone unfamiliar with this aspect of Indian history. Published "The Company as their Lords and the Deputy as a Great Rajah": Imperial Expansion and the English East India Company on the West Coast of Sumatra, 1685-1730

Watson, Little agents

The writers aim was to tell the story of those who were colonised by Britain, the regions and nations and peoples who became part of its empire, and how they resisted their incorporation into this world. He succeeds comprehensively in this aim. It’s a subtle enough idea; there are plenty of histories setting out Britain’s inevitable rise to power, some even portraying this as a good thing, and in parallel there are plenty of works detailing the crimes of British and other colonialists/imperialists. While the latter is a worthwhile thing to aim for, it does have a common fault of presenting these subjects of colonialism as passive victims; this book emphatically adresses that deficit. In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with esteemed historian David Veevers to discuss his latest work, "The Great Defiance." Beyond the usual tales of empire-building and domination, Veevers sheds light on the often overlooked stories of those who stood up, resisted, and defied the might of English and later British colonizers throughout the early modern period. Together, we delve deep into the rich tapestry of histories that highlight the resilience, courage, and tenacity of communities across the globe. Through "Defiant Empire," Veevers challenges traditional narratives, pushing listeners to reconsider what they thought they knew about colonization. Join us as we embark on a journey that re-centers the experiences and voices of the defiant, and offers a fresh perspective on a chapter of history too crucial to be forgotten.

The answer is yes, and with relish. In a memorable chapter, Veevers recounts how King Agaja of Dahomey resisted European domination by cutting out middlemen and setting up his own slave plantations, conquering the neighbouring kingdom of Ouida to monopolise the slave trade, and charging higher prices for slaves, thereby ensuring his “economic as well as political dominance”. In this captivating episode of Explaining History, we delve into the profound historical moments leading to the end of World War II with our special guest, acclaimed writer and historian, Evan Thomas. Very interesting. It casts a spotlight on some of the lesser-told narratives of British colonial history. If I am writing this in English, it is partly because generations of Britons took the view that “there is no land unhabitable nor sea innavigable” and sailed forth from these islands to trade and to conquer. This does not mean that the experiences of the non-Western world should be ignored, far from it. To the extent that Veevers has tried to make an unfamiliar part of their histories more accessible to a lay audience, he is to be commended.In "The Great Defiance: Unveiling the Epic Saga of the British Empire," author David Veevers has masterfully penned a non-fiction masterpiece that immerses readers in a world of captivating exploration, exceptional resilience, and awe-inspiring historical significance. With meticulous research and a gift for storytelling, Veevers has crafted a literary gem that effortlessly combines insightful analysis with an irresistible narrative drive, making it nearly impossible to put down.