Product guide

The British in India: A Social History of the Raj — Kindle Edition

Edition: The British in India: A Social History of the Raj by David Gilmour is a Kindle history of British lives in India, tracing the period from the East India Company’s first trading station in 1615 through Partition and Independence in 1947. It focuses on everyday work, home and social life, drawing on memoirs, letters and government documents rather than presenting only a political chronology.

At a glance

Covers British presence and rule in India from 1615 to 1947, including Partition and Independence.
Emphasizes everyday life and social experience, including work, home and travel across varied settings.
The listing describes the book as illustrated and identifies the Kindle edition’s reading features.

Price

$3.99Save 83%

Reference price: ~~$23.99~~

Price checked: Nov 13, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

A social-history focus offers a perspective on daily life beyond a purely political account.
The stated scope spans several centuries, from early East India Company activity to independence.
Screen Reader support, Enhanced Typesetting, X-Ray, Word Wise and Page Flip are listed for the Kindle edition.

Technical specifications

12 specifications

Publication
Publisher	Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date	November 13, 2018
Edition	Illustrated
Language	English
Print length	642 pages
ISBN-13	978-0374713249

Kindle edition details
File size	58.6 MB
Screen Reader	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	Enabled
X-Ray	Enabled
Word Wise	Enabled
Page Flip	Enabled

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers interested in the social history of British India and the Raj.
Readers looking for an account of daily lives and experiences across the long period from 1615 to 1947.

Less suited to

Readers seeking a general history of India across periods beyond British presence and rule.
Readers who prefer a short introduction rather than a 642-page history.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.4 / 5 · 130 ratings

5 stars58%58%
4 stars28%28%
3 stars10%10%
2 stars2%2%
1 star2%2%

Customer feedback describes the book as informative, detailed and engaging, with particular appreciation for its account of manners and everyday lives. Those reported strengths align with the listing’s social-history emphasis. The overall rating distribution is mostly four- and five-star, but aggregate scores do not establish how every reader will respond to the book’s substantial length or subject focus.

Positive themes

Readers describe the book as informative and detailed.
Feedback also characterizes the book as engaging and highlights its treatment of manners and daily life.

Frequently asked questions

What period does the book cover?

The listing describes a span from the East India Company’s first trading station in 1615 through the twilight of the Raj, Partition and Independence in 1947.

What is the book mainly about?

It focuses on the work, home and social lives of British people in India, using anecdotes and historical documents to explore their experiences.

What format and reading features are listed?

This listing is for a Kindle edition. It lists Screen Reader support, Enhanced Typesetting, X-Ray, Word Wise and Page Flip.