Amitav Ghosh Shortlisted for 2024 British Academy Book Prize for Smoke and Ashes: Opium's Hidden Histories

Renowned Indian author Amitav Ghosh has been shortlisted for the prestigious British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding 2024. His latest work, Smoke and Ashes: Opium's Hidden Histories, is among six international titles competing for the GBP 25,000 award, which celebrates non-fiction literature that deepens our understanding of global cultures. Now in its 12th year, the prize is open to authors from all backgrounds and languages, as long as their work is available in English.

The judges praised Ghosh's storytelling, blending memoir, history, and travelogue to create a compelling narrative. "In Smoke and Ashes: Opium's Hidden Histories, Amitav Ghosh draws on decades of archival research that informed his Ibis Trilogy to examine the far-reaching effects of the global opium trade, from its 18th-century origins to the modern opioid crisis in the USA," stated the British Academy.

Shortlisted Authors and Themes:

Other authors shortlisted for the prize include Ed Conway for Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future; Kate Kitagawa and Timothy Revell for The Secret Lives of Numbers: A Global History of Mathematics & Its Unsung Trailblazers; Marcy Norton for The Tame and the Wild: People and Animals after 1492; Ross Perlin for Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues; and Annabel Sowemimo for Divided: Racism, Medicine and Why We Need to Decolonise Healthcare.
"This year's shortlist showcases an impressive array of topics: from the global history of the opium trade to the influence of raw materials on the world, racism in healthcare, endangered languages, and the development of mathematics. These books collectively challenge how we understand our shared history and present," said Professor Charles Tripp, Chair of Judges.

Judging Panel:

Tripp is joined on the judging panel by prominent journalist Ritula Shah, Professor Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad from Lancaster University, Professor Rebecca Earle from the University of Warwick, and former BBC foreign correspondent Bridget Kendall. The judges were deeply impressed by the depth of research and the exceptional quality of writing, noting that these works offer transformative insights into global issues.
The winner will be revealed on October 22 at a ceremony in London. Each shortlisted author will receive GBP 1,000. In 2023, Nandini Das won the award for her book Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origins of Empire. To complement Das' work, the British Academy commissioned a digital exhibition by Kolkata-based artist Arko Datto, which was featured as part of London's Open House Festival.

Reflecting on the exhibition, Das remarked, "It has been fascinating to see Arko's photographic interpretation of spaces connected to the historical records I researched. His work beautifully bridges the past and present of everyday life in India."
Datto, reflecting on his project, added, "India's diverse landscape offers a rich tapestry for exploration, and I hope my work resonates with audiences, offering them a glimpse into the unique experiences I've captured."

The British Academy continues to play a vital role in promoting the humanities and social sciences, fostering greater global understanding and cultural exchange.