This book by Indian politician Tharoor is an eloquent response to those who celebrate the empire as a ‘force for good’. A review of the book is available in Further Materials.

These essays are excellent at showing the complexities of the relationship between the Indian subcontinent and the British empire. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of the British empire, such as: nationalism in India, state power and colonialism, the Indian economy and the British empire, and environment and ecology under British rule (which could link nicely with science and geography within the school’s curriculum). They are at a quite high reading level so it might be useful to use the half-page summaries at the start of each chapter. Most of these summaries could be used as they are, but teachers could easily lower the reading age by simplifying them.

This book discusses people who agreed with the basic ideals of the British empire (values such as democracy and the rule of law) but opposed what was happening to their country. 

This resource looks at the transition from India under the Mughal empire and what changes and benefits the British brought. It is excellent at showing how the different elements in Indian society saw the empire. It highlights both the supporters and detractors, so ideally suits a comparative study.

This article highlights some of the debates people were having about the empire while living under it, and it would offer students a historical perspective.