This book explores the historical roots of rapid economic growth in South Asia, with reference to politics, markets, resources, and the world economy. Roy posits that, after an initial slow period of growth between 1950 and the 1980s, the region has been growing rapidly and fast catching up with...

Chapter 1: Introduction -- Chapter 2: The making of British India -- Chapter 3: The business of the cities -- Chapter 4: Unyielding land -- Chapter 5: A poor state -- Chapter 6: End of famine -- Chapter 7: A different story? The princely states -- Chapter 8: Conclusion