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This masterly republished book remains a major source of interest to historians of the West as well as Asia. It gives a fresh perspective by undertaking a study of European activities in Asia for the last 500 years.

Forty years after it was published, this book remains a major source of interest to historians of the West as well as Asia. The book, is free from xenophobic desire to restore the dead past of Asia. Rather, Panikkar has spoken of the profit which Asia gained from western dominance as well as the humiliation it suffered.

The book made the western world understand the meaning of Asian nationalism. It is far from parochial in its approach. It brings a composite Asian point of view to bear on the age of maritime mercantilism and militarism, which began as a crusade against the Muslims, flared into conquest and hardened into empires.

The book starts with the arrival of Vasco da Gama from Portugal at Calicut in 1498. The Dutch, the French and the British followed, competing for trade and power.

Panikkar has death in great detail the activities of the Christian missions of the Western countries in Asia. He acknowledges that the Western ideas in art and literature were accepted in India Though modified by new ideas and new experiences, the Chinese, India and other civilizations continued to grown stronger, gaining from the scientific and technological advances of the time. As a result of the adjustments that had to be made on account of Christian influence, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam became vigorous.

Tracing the development of national movements in Asia, Panikkar points out that a sense of Asian unity began to grow and by the late 1940’s, Western political influence in Asia began to wane. In spite of the changes induced by westernization, Panikkar believed that there will not be any major political chaos or social anarchy in Asia because the social structure would remain intact. Panikkar traces the Soviet influence in Asia along the land frontiers and the American influence across the Pacific from the east.

For the readers of history to whom the book is principally addressed, the book gives a fresh perspective by undertaking a study of European activities in Asia for the last 500 years.

EXCERPTS FROM REVIEWS:

Compulsory reading for anyone who has anything to do with Asia. Panikkar is a historian of quality.
— The Economist

A masterly book, the first full-length study by an Asian historian of European activities in Asia over 450 years.
— The New Statesman

A Clear and full historical account. Readers will value this important book most of all for refreshing, stimulating and confident view which it gives of the Asian outlook both upon past history and upon the future.
— The Times, London

Asia and Western Dominance is a political as well as a literary event. This book is quite free from the xenophobic desire to restore the dead past in Asia. Panikkar counts up the profits which Asia gained from subjugation, as well as the humiliation which it suffered.
— Manchester Guardian

A useful key to the understanding of Asian nationalism. It brings an Asiatic viewpoint to bear on the age of maritime mercantilism which began as a crusade against the Moslems, flared into conquest and hardened into empire. He devotes much of his time to the history of missions during the period of revolution and change.
— Booklist

Important for us to know. The inclination of many Asians to think the best of Russian relations with Asia, past and present, and to suspect the United States as the heir to European imperialism is one of the important facts of life of our international relations. Panikkar , with skill and persuasiveness, shows why they feel this way.
— Saturday Review