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Nandini Das Wins 2023 British Academy Book Prize 

Why in the news?

India-born author Nandini Das, a Professor of English literature at the University of Oxford, has clinched the prestigious 2023 British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding.

• Book’s Significance: Her winning book, “Courting India: England, Mughal India, and the Origins of Empire,” is her debut work, offering a fresh perspective on the origins of the British Empire.
• Focus on Diplomatic Mission: Das’s book highlights England’s initial diplomatic mission to the Mughal courts in the early 17th century, making it a unique origin story for the relationship between Britain and India.
• Nandini Das, will be awarded GBP 25,000, additionally, each of the shortlisted works, which includes “Black Ghost of Empire: The Long Death of Slavery and the Failure of Emancipation” by Kris Manjapra, will receive GBP 1,000.

British Academy Book Prize

• The British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding previously known as the Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize was established in 2013 by the British Academy worth £25,000, a prestigious UK institution promoting humanities and social sciences.
• This annual award recognizes outstanding books exploring global cultural themes, fostering cross-cultural understanding.
• First Recipient – Karen Armstrong, was awarded for her book “Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence.”
• British Academy Book Prize acknowledges books that contribute to a deeper understanding of global cultures, fostering knowledge and appreciation of diverse societies worldwide.
• It promotes literature that bridges cultural gaps, making it a valuable recognition in the literary world.