Smoke and Ashes

In Smoke and Ashes, Amitav Ghosh explores the profound impact of the opium trade on global history and his own familial lineage. Drawing from years of archival research, he reveals how the British Empire's export of Indian opium to China transformed economies and societies across Britain, India, and China, while shaping the foundations of some of today's most prominent corporations and influential families. Blending travelogue, memoir, and historical essay, Ghosh examines the intricate connections between horticulture, capitalism, and colonialism, highlighting how a single plant has significantly influenced our modern world.