Sathnam Sanghera's New Book Chronicles Historic Voyages of the British Empire

London, Sep 11 (PTI) British Indian author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera explores ten transformative voyages in history within his latest children’s book, ‘Journeys of Empire,’ released this Thursday. The book touches on significant events such as Mahatma Gandhi’s 1930 Dandi March, known as the Salt Satyagraha, and the poignant tale of Pocahontas. It spans multiple continents to portray influential journeys throughout the British Empire. By spotlighting these "British voyages that changed the world forever – and the rebels who resisted," Sanghera aims to both entertain and enlighten, addressing the educational gaps in how such subjects are typically approached in schools. "The British Empire’s story is vast, involving a quarter of the globe, a fifth of the world’s population, and encompasses 400 years of history," Sanghera explained. "Narrating such a complex history seemed best achieved through the personal stories of individuals undertaking remarkable journeys," he elaborated. Wolverhampton-born and now London-based, Sanghera’s previous works, ‘Empireland’ and ‘Empireworld,’ also delve into British imperialism themes. 'Journeys of Empire’ marks his second foray into children's literature on this topic, following ‘Stolen History: The Truth about the British Empire and how it Shaped Us.’ "Writing for children presents its own challenges, but I approach it with the same dedication as my other work, driven by engaging narratives and humor," he disclosed. "It's crucial to maintain respect for young readers, avoiding a patronizing tone," added the author, who frequently holds school talks in the UK. "When visiting schools, I find it exhilarating when students connect with these stories. Yet, I feel a sense of envy, as it's just another lesson for them. For me, learning these stories as a child would have profoundly impacted my identity as a British Indian," Sanghera muses, observing that the Empire is scantily taught in English schools. The 48-year-old highlights the subject’s significance in understanding Britain’s immigration discourse and the reasons behind historical mass migrations. "You cannot establish the largest empire in human history without yourselves becoming migrants. There's an unspoken acknowledgment missing in UK migration discourse, failing to address why people arrive here," notes Sanghera, whose parents migrated from Punjab during the 1960s. "My parents, like many from Nigeria and South Africa, came here due to the British Empire; the saying goes: 'we are here because you were there.' Yet, this fundamental truth is often absent in discussions on British migration," he asserts. Having completed this compelling compendium of intricate journeys, Sanghera plans to leave Empire narratives behind, directing his focus toward a book on the celebrated singer-songwriter George Michael, aligned with the forthcoming tenth anniversary of Michael’s death next year.