cover of episode 190. Rags to Riches: The Scots in India

190. Rags to Riches: The Scots in India

2024/9/30
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Andrew MacKillop
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William Dalrymple
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William Dalrymple: 我列出了许多苏格兰人在印度的贡献,包括Allan Octavian Hume, John Skinner, Lord Dalhousie等,他们分别在印度国大党、商业和铁路建设方面做出了贡献。我还列出了其他苏格兰人在茶叶种植、医学和贸易方面的贡献。 然而,这份清单可能并不完整,因为我当时只有18岁,对这段历史的了解有限。 我的这份清单,更像是一个18岁年轻人对苏格兰人在印度贡献的个人想象,而非一个全面客观的总结。 Andrew MacKillop: 沃尔特·司各特将印度称为苏格兰的‘粮仓’是准确的,因为通过向印度派遣人员,苏格兰获得了巨大的财富。苏格兰人参与印度的历史可以追溯到更早时期,远早于威廉列出的19世纪30年代以后的时间。 苏格兰人对印度的参与,既有积极的一面,例如在铁路、工程等方面的贡献,也有消极的一面,例如参与殖民活动和战争。 库洛登战役后,许多苏格兰雅各布派人士被送往印度服役,这体现了英国政府对他们的控制和利用。在卡纳提克战争中,一些流亡的苏格兰雅各布派人士甚至领导了法国东印度公司的军队,与英国东印度公司作战。 在与蒂普苏丹的战争中,苏格兰军官在马德拉斯总统府军队中占据了不成比例的比例,许多苏格兰团参与了这些战争。塞林加帕特纳姆战役的胜利为苏格兰军官和士兵带来了巨额奖金,这使得大量印度财富流入苏格兰。 在1857年的印度兵变中,苏格兰高地团在英国的军事行动中扮演了重要的角色,尽管他们的数量在英国的反攻中并不占主导地位。 苏格兰人在印度的经济贡献巨大,甚至超过了烟草和跨大西洋奴隶贸易的影响。印度财富流入苏格兰,不仅惠及了地主阶级和精英阶层,也惠及了普通士兵的家庭。 苏格兰人参与印度的历史,既有光荣的一面,也有黑暗的一面。我们需要全面客观地看待这段历史,既要认识到他们的贡献,也要正视他们参与的殖民活动和战争带来的负面影响。

Deep Dive

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Following the devastating defeat at Culloden, Scotland faced immense hardship. This chapter explores how the nascent British Empire offered a path to recovery and enrichment for many Scots, particularly Highlanders.

Shownotes Transcript

In the wake of Culloden, much of Scotland was on its knees. Crippled by defeat and the subsequent backlash of the British government, along with famine and poverty, they were in dire need of new horizons. The nascent British Empire would provide it. The Scottish Highlanders had developed a fearsome reputation during their struggles against the English, and would prove just as indomitable fighting for Britain in India. Yet, in more ways than militarily, India was to become a treasure trove of opportunity, enrichment and conquest for the Scots. From their domination of the East India Trading Company, to some of the men credited with cementing imperial rule in India, and the Highlander Regiments who took on the ferocious Tipu Sultan in the South, Scots involvement in all spheres of the British Empire in India was momentous. It also made them very rich… how controversial, then, is Scotland’s Indian involvement?

In today’s episode, William and Anita are joined by historian Andrew MacKillop to discuss the colourful history of Scots and India.

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