Fabrication of Empire: The British and the Uganda Kingdoms, 1890-1902

by D. A. Low

Overview

During the 1890s, the Scramble for Africa created the new country of Uganda. This inland territory carved out by British agents first encompassed some 20–30 African kingdoms. In his magisterial study, Anthony Low examines how and why the British were able to dominate these rulerships and establish a colonial government. At the same time, the book goes beyond providing a simple narrative account of events; rather, Low seeks to analyse the conditions under which such a transformation was possible. By skilfully negotiating the many complex political and social undercurrents of this period, Low presents a groundbreaking theoretical model of colonial conquest and rule. The result is a major contribution to debates about the making of empire that will appeal to Africanists and imperial historians alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780511738401
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/09/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

D. A. Low is Emeritus Smuts Professor of the History of the British Commonwealth, University of Cambridge.

Table of Contents

1. Prologue: survey and agenda; 2. Statecraft: external intrusion and local dominion; 3. Ferment: conversion and revolution in Buganda; 4. Upcountry: might-have beens and the Buganda/Uganda outcome; 5. Warbands: new military formations and ground-level imperialism; 6. Paramountcy: Toro, Busoga and the new overlords; 7. Defeat: Kabarega's resistance, Mwanga's revolt and the Sudanese mutiny; 8. Succession: Nkore and the war of Igumira's Eye; 9. Denouement: aggregations and rulerships; 10. Government: colonial settlements and the Buganda model; 11. Capstone: honour, awe and imperialism; 12. Round up and review; Select bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

"masterful, and contribute significantly to our understanding of the building of empire and imperial culture at its edges, and of the people inexorably caught up in the process." -Journal of African History

"Low adds to his distinguished writings on Uganda with this superb study of how Uganda fell under British imperial control. Highly recommended." -Choice

"This is an important work by a major historian of Uganda and the British Empire."
American Historical Review, Carol Summers, University of Richmond

"an important and carefully crafted study of the dynamics of colonial hegemony in eastern Frica." -Journal of British Studies

From the Publisher