SUBALTERN ANTI-COLONIAL NATIONALISM IN PAUL SCOTT’S THE RAJ QUARTET

Abstract

This paper investigates anti-colonial nationalism of the Indians in Paul Scott’s The Raj Quartet from postcolonial perspective. The study uses the subversive strategy of the subaltern agency which writes wrongs of the colonizers and actions of the colonized. It reflects upon such actions of the Indians in The Raj Quartet which channel their resistance against colonialism as Quit India movement, massive uprising of the Indians, creation of the Indian National Army (INA) and the political struggle of the Indian politicians. The concepts of the ‘subaltern’ help this endeavour to bring the Indians to the centre and write back to the Empire. This study aims to prove that the Indians destabilize the colonial administration and intimidate the British Raj which led the colonialists to think that decolonization is imminent. Though their anti-colonial struggle is least organized but enough to crumble the walls of the Empire. It suggests that the Indians achieve consciousness by rejecting the equivocation of the British.