On 28 February 2024, ISI Delhi hosted a public lecture titled “Land or Sea? How Geography Shaped the Emergence of Colonialism in Asia and Africa” by Prof. Tirthankar Roy, Professor of Economic History at the London School of Economics. Drawing on historical and environmental insights, Prof. Roy examined the geographic and ecological factors that influenced the rise of European colonial powers in coastal Asia and Africa. Moving beyond traditional explanations focused on trade or political maneuvering, the talk highlighted how secure resource access, lower famine risk, and agglomeration advantages contributed to shifting power dynamics in the 18th century. The lecture was well attended and sparked engaging discussions on the intersection of geography, empire, and state formation.