The Opium Wars

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: World History   Source: IE  Context: Amitav Ghosh’s new book “Smoke and Ashes” explores the historical significance of opium as a powerful agent that has shaped and continues to shape the world’s history. The book focuses on the Opium Wars (1839-42 and 1856-60), which were waged by European colonial powers on …