Imagining resistance : British historiography and popular fiction on the Indian Rebellion of 1857-59
The thesis is a study of British historiography and popular fiction on the Indian 'Mutiny' of 1857-59. The historical writings that I have considered are mainly those written between 1857 and the 1870s, and for the novels the period I have chosen is between 1857 and 1947, the year of Indian's political independence. The first chapter is a reading of the histories by John William Kaye and Charles Ball. Here I have tried to show the ways in which historiography makes sense of and narrates anti-colonial resistance. The discussion also offers an occasion for introducing some of those historical and political-administrative issues which underlie the rebellion and that recur, with varying emphasis, in the texture of the novels. The second chapter examines the literary and social contexts of the British in India. While the novels of the rebellion belong to a tradition of colonial adventure novel, they are also located in a literary history specific to the British empire in India. At the same time, this literary history reflects the sociological and cultural bearings of Anglo-India, and embodies changes of attitude and policy as a period of 'orientalism' is followed by the ideological dominance of missionary-utilitarianism.
Chakravarty, G.
Imagining resistance : British historiography and popular fiction on the Indian Rebellion of 1857-59. The thesis is a study of British historiography and popular fiction on the Indian 'Mutiny' of 1857-59. The historical writings that I have considered are mainly those written between 1857 and the 1870s, and for the novels the period I have chosen is between 1857 and 1947, the year of Indian's political independence. The first chapter is a reading of the histories by John William Kaye and Charles Ball. Here I have tried to show the ways in which historiography makes sense of and narrates anti-colonial resistance. The discussion also offers an occasion for introducing some of those historical and political-administrative issues which underlie the rebellion and that recur, with varying emphasis, in the texture of the novels. The second chapter examines the literary and social contexts of the British in India. While the novels of the rebellion belong to a tradition of colonial adventure novel, they are also located in a literary history specific to the British empire in India. At the same time, this literary history reflects the sociological and cultural bearings of Anglo-India, and embodies changes of attitude and policy as a period of 'orientalism' is followed by the ideological dominance of missionary-utilitarianism.
imagining resistance british historiography popular fiction indian rebellion study british historiography popular fiction indian mutiny historical_writing consider mainly write period chosen year indian political independence first read history john william charles try_show way historiography make_sense narrate anti_colonial resistance discussion also_offer occasion introduce historical political_administrative issue underlie rebellion recur vary emphasis texture novel second_examines literary social_context british_india novel rebellion belong tradition colonial adventure novel also locate literary history specific british_empire india time literary history reflect sociological cultural bearing anglo india embody change_attitude policy period orientalism follow ideological dominance missionary utilitarianism