Sathnam Sanghera's 'Empireland' Examines Colonial Legacy in Contemporary Britain

Sathnam Sanghera's book 'Empireland' analyzes how Britain's colonial past continues to influence modern society, noting a general lack of acknowledgment despite recent statue removals and corporate apologies. Published by Viking, the hardcover costs £18.99. Sanghera, a Cambridge-educated journalist of Sikh Punjabi heritage from Wolverhampton, approaches the topic as a novice, blending colonial history with personal reflection on his dual identity as both British and subject to racism. He critiques Britain's education system for omitting imperial history and the contributions of ethnic minorities, arguing this exclusion affects belonging. The book explores colonial atrocities like slavery, economic benefits to Britain, and complexities such as collaboration by colonized peoples, linking imperial attitudes to Brexit. Sanghera draws parallels to Jawaharlal Nehru's journey of decolonization, emphasizing that understanding Empire could foster unity rather than division.