India-Born Author Nandini Das Wins 2023 British Academy Book Prize

 

The British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding, a prestigious international non-fiction award has been claimed by India-born author Nandini Das for her debut book, ‘Courting India: England, Mughal India, and the Origins of Empire.’ This remarkable work, hailed as the “true origin story of Britain and India told through England’s first diplomatic mission to the Mughal courts,” secured the top spot this year at a ceremony held at the British Academy in London.

Nandini Das: A Fresh Perspective on the Origins of Empire

Nandini Das, a 49-year-old academic and Professor in the English faculty at the University of Oxford, has ventured to offer a fresh perspective on the beginnings of the British Empire. Her book delves into the historical account of the arrival of the first English ambassador in India, Sir Thomas Roe, during the early 17th century. In doing so, Das provides a unique lens through which to examine the intricate interactions between England and Mughal India, laying the groundwork for the empire that would eventually come into being.

The British Academy Book Prize: Fostering Cultural Understanding

The British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding, previously known as the Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize, was established in 2013. Its mission is to recognize and celebrate exceptional works of non-fiction that exemplify academic rigor and originality while also contributing to the public’s understanding of diverse world cultures and their interactions. Now in its 11th year, this award continues to honor books that enhance global cultural understanding at a time when the need for cross-cultural comprehension is more pressing than ever.

List of Shortlisted authors

Sno.	Book Title	Author
1	‘Black Ghost of Empire: The Long Death of Slavery and the Failure of Emancipation’	Kris Manjapra
2	‘Red Memory: Living, Remembering, and Forgetting China’s Cultural Revolution’	Tania Branigan
3	‘The Violence of Colonial Photography’	Daniel Foliard
4	‘Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World’	Irene Vallejo
5	‘Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living’	Dimitris Xygalatas

Rewarding Excellence

Nandini Das will be awarded GBP 25,000 as the winner of the British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding. However, the accolades do not end there. The shortlisted authors, including Kris Manjapra, Tania Branigan, Daniel Foliard, Irene Vallejo, and Dimitris Xygalatas, will each receive GBP 1,000 for their exceptional contributions to non-fiction literature.

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