Confronting a Complex Family Legacy: The Impact of Colonialism in Bengal

Susannah Herbert, the granddaughter of the governor of Bengal during the devastating 1943 famine, is coming to terms with the deep-seated impact of colonialism on her family legacy. As she delves into the history of her grandfather’s role in the famine, she grapples with feelings of shame and the need for historical reflection. The story sheds light on the complexities of inherited guilt and responsibility, as well as the broader repercussions of Britain’s colonial past in India.