Investigating the emergence of the north atlantic seaboard states as dominant world powers, this book presents an engaging account of the history of human development under capitalism providing a much needed indian perspective, bagchi explores the numerous ways in which the armed ascendancy of european capitalism shaped development in different countries contradictory movements within global capital are interwoven with the role of capitalist competition for markets, raw materials, territories, and human labour his nuanced approach, coupled with meticulous scholarship and lucid rendition, makes this volume indispensable for scholars, teachers, and students of the rise of the modern west, global economic history, and european and world history