They Called It Civilization. We Call It Loot: ₹45 Trillion Lost, and India’s Legacy Displayed as ‘British’

When India became the first nation to land near the Moon’s south pole, the world celebrated a historic scientific leap. But in the UK, British commentator Patrick Christys used the moment not to offer congratulations, but condescension.
“Congratulations to India on landing on the dark side of the Moon. I would now like to invite India to return the £2.3 billion in foreign aid that we sent them between 2016 and 2021...”

What he failed to acknowledge — or conveniently ignored — is this: Britain looted $45 trillion (roughly ₹3,700 lakh crore) from India during colonial rule, according to research by renowned economist Utsa Patnaik, commissioned by the UN. Not just money — they stole art, culture, history, life, dignity, and sovereignty. And while Britain debates “aid”, India continues reclaiming its place in the world — step by step, moon by moon.
In a groundbreaking study, economist Utsa Patnaik estimated that Britain siphoned away nearly $45 trillion (adjusted for inflation) from India between 1765 and 1938. This was not trade. It was theft disguised as administration.

• Taxation Without Benefit: Indians paid heavy taxes, which were not reinvested locally but used to fund British wars and the running of the empire.
• Exports Without Payment: Indian goods like cotton, indigo, and spices were exported globally, but the earnings went straight to British coffers, not Indian producers.
• Inverted Economic Growth: While Britain industrialised, Indian industry collapsed. India’s share of the world economy dropped from 23% in 1700 to below 4% by 1947.
• Famines Funded the Empire: At least 30 million Indians died in famines exacerbated by British grain exports and rigid economic policies. Resources were prioritized for British use, not Indian survival.

Before colonization, India was a global leader in textiles, steel, shipbuilding, and artisanal crafts. The British deliberately crushed these to protect their own industries.

• British policies imposed duties on Indian textiles while allowing duty-free imports from British mills.
• Entire weaving communities, such as in Bengal, were decimated. Fine muslin industries were destroyed.

• British policies imposed duties on Indian textiles while allowing duty-free imports from British mills.
• Entire weaving communities, such as in Bengal, were decimated. Fine muslin industries were destroyed.
• Indian shipyards built vessels that rivalled European ones. The British banned Indian ships from trading.
• Wootz steel, a high-quality product used in Damascus blades, was banned from export.

• Indian shipyards built vessels that rivalled European ones. The British banned Indian ships from trading.
• Wootz steel, a high-quality product used in Damascus blades, was banned from export.
• Traditional artisans, engineers, and metalworkers lost their trades and were forced into agrarian poverty.

• Traditional artisans, engineers, and metalworkers lost their trades and were forced into agrarian poverty.

The British didn’t just take India’s money — they took its history. Palaces, temples, and tombs were emptied of their treasures. These now lie in British museums, with no intention of being returned.

• It was removed after the annexation of Punjab.
• Displayed as a symbol of British victory, it remains one of the most contested possessions in the world.
• Britain refuses to return it, claiming it was “legally acquired.”

• It was removed after the annexation of Punjab.
• Displayed as a symbol of British victory, it remains one of the most contested possessions in the world.
• Britain refuses to return it, claiming it was “legally acquired.”
• The Amaravati marbles were dug out and shipped to Britain.
• Chola bronzes, originally worshipped in temples, are now museum centerpieces.
• Many of these items were taken without consent, and today, India’s identity lies piecemealed across the shelves of London.

• The Amaravati marbles were dug out and shipped to Britain.
• Chola bronzes, originally worshipped in temples, are now museum centerpieces.
• Many of these items were taken without consent, and today, India’s identity lies piecemealed across the shelves of London.
• Even Tipu Sultan’s personal items were auctioned off: His tiger automaton, weapons, and war symbols were not preserved — they were sold to the highest bidder.

The British didn’t just loot wealth and artifacts. They took ideas, systems, and scientific knowledge, rebranded them, and erased their Indian origins.

• Ancient texts in Sanskrit, Pali, and Tamil were shipped to Oxford and Cambridge.
• Indian philosophical and mathematical texts were studied without crediting Indian thinkers.

• Ancient texts in Sanskrit, Pali, and Tamil were shipped to Oxford and Cambridge.
• Indian philosophical and mathematical texts were studied without crediting Indian thinkers.
• Indian contributions like the zero, decimal system, and advanced trigonometry were long denied their origins.

• Indian contributions like the zero, decimal system, and advanced trigonometry were long denied their origins.
• Indigenous knowledge systems were dismissed as unscientific.
• Today, many Western pharmaceutical techniques adopt principles that were once ridiculed under colonial rule.

• Indigenous knowledge systems were dismissed as unscientific.
• Today, many Western pharmaceutical techniques adopt principles that were once ridiculed under colonial rule.

Patrick Christys’s comment was more than just an insult—it was a reminder. A reminder that colonialism didn’t end with 1947. It simply changed form. Today, India no longer needs aid. But Britain might need a mirror.

£2.3 billion? That’s less than a rounding error compared to what was taken. If there is to be a conversation about return, let it begin with:

• The Koh-i-Noor diamond, taken from a child king.
• The Amaravati marbles, dug out of sacred soil.
• The trillions extracted from India’s sweat and grain.

They called it civilization. We call it what it was: organized, legalised, glorified loot. And now, we remember.

India landed on the Moon. Britain still clings to stolen stones.

Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!