Prasannan Parthasarathi

About the Author

Prasannan Parthasarathi is a distinguished historian specializing in global economic history and the dynamics of colonial encounters. With a focus on the period from 1600 to 1850, his research illuminates the divergent paths of economic development between Europe and Asia, challenging Eurocentric narratives of industrialization and prosperity. Parthasarathi's work draws on extensive archival evidence from India, Britain, and beyond to argue that Asia's relative stagnation was not inevitable but a consequence of imperial exploitation and unequal trade relations. A professor at Boston College, he has influenced debates in economic history, development studies, and postcolonial theory, advocating for a more inclusive understanding of global modernity. His scholarship bridges disciplines, offering fresh perspectives on how power and technology shaped the modern world.