‘Only by recognising the power & intelligence of the opium poppy can we even begin to make peace with it’

Source– The post is based on the article “Only by recognising the power & intelligence of the opium poppy can we even begin to make peace with it” published in “The Times Group” on 8th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- Modern history

Relevance: Opium trade and Opium war

News-The article is about new book of Amitav Ghosh ‘Smoke and Ashes: A Writer’s Journey Through Opium’s Hidden Histories’. The article discusses the profound impact of the opium trade on the economies and societies of India and China.

What is major issue between India and China?

Between India and China there is a high level of incomprehension. There is a huge historical influence of China on India – both economic and cultural.

However, there is complete lack of understanding of Chinese culture in India. China also lacks the understanding of Indian culture.

How colonial opium trade with China has made the Bihar and Punjab of today?

2 factors that resulted in devastation of Puvanchal region:

First, the resource curse of opium in rich and culturally fertile Purvanchal region is responsible for underdevelopment of these regions. While, it helped in industrialisation of England and America, but devastated the agricultural economy of Purvanchal.

After 1857 the British started recruiting from Punjab, instead of Bihar. They also started investing massively in the region which accounts for wealthy Punjabis of today.

What are some facts about opium trade during freedom movement?

During the course of Indian freedom Struggle,from the 1880s onwards both in India and China there was a huge movement against opium.

There were also divergent trajectories of opium trade. Britishers established an absolute monopoly over opium cultivation in the eastern part of India. In the western part they were resisted by various princely states.

What are present challenges related to opium consumption in present times?

There is very high rates of addiction especially in the border state of Punjab and also on the eastern border, the Northeast. In America also, opioids have become a leading cause of death .

How do India and China remember opium trade wars?

In India, very little is taught about opium trade and wars.

Modern China has emerged from the Opium Wars and from the struggle against opium. Wars are memorialised everywhere in China.

One of the major event is the battle of Sanyuanli between Indian sepoys and Chinese villagers. This event is considered as founding of nationalism in China