@DalrympleWill ↔ @nfergus conversation
William Dalrymple@DalrympleWill
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Nov 26, 2025
~2 min read
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William Dalrymple@DalrympleWill
"Indians running global businesses," says William Dalrymple amid Macaulay mindset debate. indiatoday.in/india/story/wi… via @indiatoday
IndiaToday@IndiaToday
Scottish author and historian @DalrympleWill has said that India’s multilingual educated elite, who are equally comfortable in English and their own regional languages, are driving the country’s rise on the global economic stage.
His comments come amid renewed debate over Thomas Macaulay’s legacy after Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged Indians to "free ourselves from the mindset of slavery that Macaulay imposed on India," calling for a 10-year national resolve leading up to the 200th anniversary of Macaulay’s education reforms.
Read more - intdy.in/mkxu5g
His comments come amid renewed debate over Thomas Macaulay’s legacy after Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged Indians to "free ourselves from the mindset of slavery that Macaulay imposed on India," calling for a 10-year national resolve leading up to the 200th anniversary of Macaulay’s education reforms.
Read more - intdy.in/mkxu5g
William Dalrymple@DalrympleWill
"It’s right that people should not look down on their regional languages, and they should celebrate the regional language literature," Dalrymple said, pointing to the Jaipur Literature Festival’s efforts to showcase diverse Indian literary traditions.
"But it’s also important that the educated elite are able to deal internationally and take over businesses around the world. It’s not a question of one or the other, it should be both, and that’s a great Indian strength".
"But it’s also important that the educated elite are able to deal internationally and take over businesses around the world. It’s not a question of one or the other, it should be both, and that’s a great Indian strength".
William Dalrymple@DalrympleWill
English is one of India's great advantages over China: William Dalrymple - India Today share.google/K6tQNRjpa11wYN…
Niall Ferguson@nfergus
Such a remarkable coincidence that the Indians speak English, isn't it? Can't possibly have anything to do with that wicked Empire you are so fond of denigrating.
William Dalrymple@DalrympleWill
Did you also grow up in Lowland Scotland with the phrase "peeli walli" to describe feeling peaky? Its Hindi, literally "yellow man" (ie jaundiced) coming back with all the jute merchants and squaddies, alongside words like loot...
Niall Ferguson@nfergus
Willy, my grandfather served in India and Burma during the war, while yours was being baronet of Bass Rock. Or did I miss a heroic episode in Hamilton-Dalrymple history (aside from their ignoble part in the Glencoe Massacre)? You'll be explaining to me what "tiffin" means next.
William Dalrymple@DalrympleWill
Since you ask, there were generations of Dalrymples in India from Stair Dalrymple, who died in the Black Hole in 1757, to my father who was in the army at Partiton in 1947. My great great uncle James deciphered the Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts of ancient India and translated the Ashoka Pillars.
(And if you'd ever like to take your boys onto the Bass just let me know...)
(And if you'd ever like to take your boys onto the Bass just let me know...)
Niall Ferguson@nfergus
This only makes your recent metamorphosis into the posh man's Edward Said the harder to comprehend.
Niall Ferguson@nfergus
Your ancestors must have been turning in their graves when you gave this embarrassing performance: youtube.com/watch?v=MZ6wvi…
William Dalrymple@DalrympleWill
Less embarrassing than co-writing columns with politicians who have international warrants out for their arrest on alleged war crimes charges, Niall? Really?
Times publishes column by Israeli wanted by ICC urging Trump to bomb Iran | Middle East Eye share.google/Zb1ApTqGGcSs9c…
Times publishes column by Israeli wanted by ICC urging Trump to bomb Iran | Middle East Eye share.google/Zb1ApTqGGcSs9c…
Niall Ferguson@nfergus
The choice between Israel and Palestinian terrorists has never been a difficult one for me. But you carry on playing to the leftist crowd, @DalrympleWill.
