India: Independence [audio 15min]

The light of the British empire was extinguished in 1947. Without India, there was no empire. In theory, India might have gained independence earlier but for three conflicts: First, Britain struggled with the principle of independence. Second, WWII meant Britain was not geared to creating the circumstances for letting go. Third, the Indians themselves failed to unify. "This Sceptred Isle: Empire" is a narrative history of the British Empire from Ireland in the 12th century to the independence of India in the 20th, told in 90 programmes written by historian Christopher Lee and narrated by actor Juliet Stevenson. ~Visit website to listen again to 5 most recent episodes, plus interactive maps and timeline, biographical dictionary, image galleries, quizzes, sources, resources, listeners' comments.