Narratives of Power and Resistance: Reading the Victorian Era through the Lens of Indian Colonial History

Abstract

This article explores the intricate relationship between Victorian literature and British colonial rule in India, examining how literary narratives both supported and challenged imperial ideologies. By analyzing selected texts from prominent Victorian authors alongside responses from Indian thinkers and writers, the study reveals the dual role of literature as a tool of colonial power and a medium of resistance. Drawing on postcolonial theory, the article highlights how literature became a site of cultural negotiation, where identities were shaped, contested, and reimagined within the colonial context.