When India became independent in 1947, few would have imagined it would surpass Britain 75 years later, to become the fifth largest economy in the world in 2022.
Is it possible then that five years later, Britain becomes a colony of India? The coloniser now colonised?
British Member of Parliament and former head of the British Council in India Alan Gemmell boldly explores exactly that in his debut novel 30th State. Engaging, racy and entertaining in parts, the political thriller is inspired by Gemmell’s six-year stay in India.
It is 2027, and with the loss of Scotland, Britain is neither “United” nor “Great”, and unable to meet its debt obligations, it is hurtling towards bankruptcy. The opposition is up in arms, screaming for prime minister Mark Richardson’s resignation and fresh elections. There’s a global run on the Sterling Pound. Britain’s allies are busy fighting populists in their own countries.
With no options left, Mark speaks to India’s prime minister Asha Sachdev, seeking renegotiation of loans. The latter declines and drops a bombshell.
“I have spoken to the King. England will come under the temporary protection of India. Tomorrow, the King will sign this instrument of accession and you will resign.”
The King will be the head of India’s 30th State — Britain.
Reversing history
For the first time in a thousand years, England is under foreign occupation.
Bradford-born Karan Puri, leader of the Conservative Party, is appointed First Minister, and Manish Palkhivala takes over as Governor-General of Britain. Arun Deshmukh, a young Maharashtrian politician, is sent as High Commissioner to repatriate the riches of the new empire.
The new regime goes about implementing its agenda, orchestrated by Karan’s father-in-law, a wealthy businessman and close friend of India’s prime minister.
Train-operating companies are transferred to Bharat Rail, water companies to Pani Bharat, BBC becomes Bharti Broadcasting Corporation and the new currency is the digital Sterling Rupee.
A sense of disquiet sweeps across Britain; protests and riots erupt with shouts and banners of ‘India Quit’.
The novel ends with a delicious plot twist when First Minister Karan and his wife fly to Scotland where they are met by the Queen in her castle.
While reverse colonisation forms the narrative arc of the novel, Gemmell examines anxieties about imperial decline, freedom, power, democracy, friends and love, all set against a brilliantly reversed historical backdrop.
The reviewer is a Bengaluru-based independent journalist.
30th State
Alan Gemmell
Bloomsbury India
₹499
Published – October 24, 2025 09:02 am IST
