An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India

by Shashi Tharoor

One should never reproach a government for the candour of its high representatives.

Pile on the brown man’s burden To gratify your greed; Go, clear away the ‘niggers’ Who progress would impede; Be very stern, for truly ’Tis useless to be mild With new-caught, sullen peoples, Half devil and half child. Pile on the brown man’s burden; And, if ye rouse his hate, Meet his old-fashioned reasons With Maxims up to date. With shells and dumdum bullets A hundred times made plain The brown man’s loss must ever Imply the white man’s gain. Pile on the brown man’s burden, compel him to be free; Let all your manifestoes Reek with philanthropy. And if with heathen folly He dares your will dispute, Then, in the name of freedom, Don’t hesitate to shoot. …. Pile on the brown man’s burden, Nor do not deem it hard If you should earn the rancour Of those ye yearn to guard. The screaming of your Eagle Will drown the victim’s sob— Go on through fire and slaughter. There’s dollars in the job. Pile on the brown man’s burden, And through the world proclaim That ye are Freedom’s agent— There’s no more paying game! And, should your own past history Straight in your teeth be thrown, Retort that independence Is good for whites alone. Pile on the brown man’s burden, With equity have done; Weak, antiquated scruples Their squeamish course have run, And, though ‘tis freedom’s banner You’re waving in the van, Reserve for home consumption The sacred ‘rights of man’! And if by chance ye falter, Or lag along the course, If, as the blood flows freely, Ye feel some slight remorse, Hie ye to Rud...