Discover the hidden struggles of colonial India in “Vice in the Barracks.” This award-shortlisted book delves into the pervasive issues of sex and alcohol among European officers from 1780-1868, exploring their impact on the East India Company’s military and economic performance. Examining the colonial state’s response to these vice-driven health risks, the book illuminates the development of imperial mindsets shaped by fears of disease, mutiny, and social deviation. “Vice in the Barracks” reveals the complex and often fractured nature of Company rule, demonstrating how military decisions influenced the state’s engagement with Indian society and the broader empire. A vital read for understanding the lesser-known realities of British rule in India.