BOOK REVIEW

ASIA AND WESTERN DOMINANCE- A SURVEY OF THE VASCO DA GAMA

EPOCH OF ASIAN HISTORY, 1498-1945

Author - Mr. KM Panikkar

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Introduction
1. The book Asia and Western Dominance- A Survey of the Vasco Da Gama Epoch
of Asian History, 1498-1945 by Mr. KM Panikkar is a powerful and to the point book with
great insight of Power, Dominance, Wars and Indian Revolution towards independence.
2. In Panikkar's own words, " The four hundred and fifty years which began with the
arrival of Vasco da Gama in Calicut (in 1498), and ended with the withdrawal of British
forces from India in 1947 and of the European Navies from China in 1949, constitute a
clearly marked epoch of history." He accordingly has named the period, “The Vasco da
Gama Epoch".
About The Author

3. Kovalam Madhava Panikkar has attained his initial qualification from Madras
Christian College and later at Christ Church, Oxford, where he has earned a First Class
in History and became a Dixon Scholar.

4. On his return to India, he joined the Aligarh Muslim University in 1919. In 1922,
he gave up teaching despite an offer of a Readership in History from Calcutta
University.

5. In 1924 Panikkar became the first editor of the Hindustan Times in Delhi. He left
the paper later to join the services of the Indian Princely States as Secretary to the
Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes. He served as Foreign Minister of the states of
Patiala and Bikaner where he also later became Prime Minister and given the title of
"Sardar".
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6. He participated in the Round Table Conference in 1930-33. After India's

independence, Nehru prevailed upon him to serve as a diplomat and to evolve a pattern
for Indian diplomacy. From 1948 to 1959 he held various diplomatic posts and became
the chief architect of friendship between India and the People's Republic of China.

7. He returned to education as Vice-Chancellor of Jammu & Kashmir University in

1961 and died as Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University on 11 December 1963.

Theme

8. Genre. The book contains History based essays on various topics of interest to
both military and non-military readers and which could be of some value in knowing the
historic activities took place in 447 years from 1498- 1945.
9. The author has constantly taken assistance from books and papers on a variety
of subjects and compiled the book for the readers. The Author has made a sincere effort
towards enlightening the reader about how Western countries came onto dominate Asia
around Indian Ocean and used its superior maritime forces to take control over Asia.
10. Layout. The book has been well written and is presented in a logical manner
making it easy to comprehend. In addition, the language is simple and free-flowing. The
author has stayed true to his purpose and made all efforts to present his knowledge and
experience.

Analysis of the Book

11. The author has divided the journey from 1498-1945 in eight different parts.
Ser Part Phase Year
(a) Part I The Age of Expansion 1498-1750
(b) Part II The Age of Conquest 1750-1858
(c) Part III The Age of Empire 1750-1858
(d) Part IV Russia and the far East 1914-1918
(e) Part V Europe in Retreat 1918-1939
(f) Part VI The Recovery of Asia
(g) Part VII Christian Missions 1939 - 1945
(h) Part VIII Oriental influences in Europe

12. India and the Indian Ocean. The book has briefed us about how Vasco Da
Gama arrived at the port of Calicut on the south-west coast of India on May 27, 1498
and Without doubt his arrival results a turning-point in the history of India and Europe.
The significance
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of his arrival at Calicut can be documented only if we appreciate that it was the
apprehension of a 200-year-old dream and of seventy-five years of sustained effort
towards the fulfillment of the dream.
13. It also shows that Prior 1498, how most Europeans were not sure how to reach
India and Asia using the African route. However efforts were made many time to move
ahead therefore after many attempts, finally Vasco Da Gama succeeded and has
marked the history for the rest all of us. Vasco Da Gama has also used Indian sailors for
his journey from Africa to India as they were more familiar with conditions at the sea and
with Indian Ocean.
14. The focus on spice trade. The spice trade with the East, one of the great
motivating factors of history and one which yielded the largest profits to merchants as
commodities in universal demand, could only come from the Indian ports across the
territories controlled by Muslim rulers.

15. The book also represents an interesting account of wars between Portuguese
and King of Travancore which latter won by the King of Travancore and restricting
Portuguese limited to the Western coast. After Portuguese, Dutch Navy and Royal
British Navy have also tried however did not succeeded. No one could imagined that it
would be Royal British forces who will capture the Indian sub-continent one day. The
Portuguese also had the first mover advantage but it did not really work for them. It was
Royal British Forces and also to an extent Dutch Navy (who has also controlled
Indonesian islands) who led the race to conquer the Sub Continent.
16. The author also speaks about the establishment of British East India Company
and the great advances made by the company at the expense of the Mughal Empire in
1757. It also speaks about the Battle of Plassey, a victory that helped in the beginning
of a new period in Indian History, that of informal British Rule.
17. The author has focused on three main countries – India, China and Japan. After
all these countries mattered most in the Indian Ocean setting. Towards later years, the
discussion also moves to Russia as it became a stakeholder in China and Japan wars.
We get an amazing flavor of several things happening as much of world attention was
on Indian Ocean. The discussion on China is particularly interesting as all these western
powers though were highly against each other, joined forces to push China to open up
to them.
18. The book becomes weak towards the end as author discusses about world wars.
This fine book was written when not much time had passed since the wars.
19. Language. The author employs simple language, free from literary jargon and
annotation. Sole emphasis has been paid to convey the knowledge the author wishes to
impart.
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20. Style. The style of writing is also a strong point of the book. Rather than
delivering a theoretical monologue, the author has chosen to put forward his views with
examples, stating facts and statistics. The author has made apt use of data and
examples to explain the topics.

Production Value

21. The paper quality of the book is of a high standard and is rightly selected for the
enhancement of the overall appeal of the book. The font is Arial and font size 11 makes
the book an easy reading. The print is clear and of high quality.
22. The price tag of Rs 895.00 raises the eyebrow at first instance but after reading
the book, one is satisfied with knowledge we have gained.
23. The book has 335 pages including the content, acknowledgement, introduction,
and index. The book was first published in 1953 by George Allen & Unwin Ltd, London
and printed by Simson Shand ltd, London. The book was later reprinted by The Other
Press, Kuala Lumpur in 1998 at 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama’s arrival in Asia.

Conclusion/ Recommendations

24. Target Audience. The book is targeted towards the common reader who is
interested in History and its impact on future. The book is shaped in a manner that it can
be of great help to anyone, be it a civilian or a military person, and be it a senior or
young officer.
25. Final Verdict. The book has a sweeping account of how West came onto
dominate Asia around Indian Ocean. How the west used its superior maritime forces to
take control over Asia is quite enthralling. It is a recommended to read. The reading is
free flowing and enjoyable and should keep any defence enthusiast happily engaged.

Bibliography.
26. Biography of Mr. KM Panikkar (Author) -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KM.Panikkar
27. About the Book, Amazon India - https://www.amazon.in/ASIA-WESTERN-
DOMINANCE-K-M-PANIKKAR/dp/8170392381