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POST- COLONIZATION
By: DIVYA KUMARI

INTRODUCTION
Post-colonization refers to the period that occurs after a region or a group of
people has experienced colonization, which is the establishment and
maintenance of political and economic control by one country over another.
Countries like India, Africa, Colombia, Iraq, Jamaica are few examples of
nations that were colonized by European powers. Colonialism was not merely
political control during the eighteenth and nineteenth century. It is the medium
through which colonizers destroyed or modified culture and knowledge of these
nations. The Europeans acquired knowledge of their native culture through
translation, commentaries, and academic study before destroying it.

SIGNIFICANCE
Post colonization marks the end of colonial period. It allows the previously
colonized people to reclaim whatever was theirs and practice their culture,
tradition and speak language of their own nation rather than mimicking the
white man. It is the culture that distinguishes one group from another. They
express these through art, music and literature. From an economic point of view,
nations try to reduce economic dependency and develop various strategies for
growth and development. Nations started to initiate, so education and
employment would be provided equally without discrimination. The education
system was changed to incorporate local perspectives, histories and
contributions that may have been marginalized during colonial rule.

HISTORY
‘History’ as a theme in post-colonial addresses several themes like the effect of
colonization and rise of nationalism. The countries that were colonized even
today are referred as ‘Third World countries’ as they emerged from under the
shadow of colonial rule after a prolonged period of anti- colonial struggle. Post-
colonial obsession with history is closely related to the overarching goal of
decolonization. To know what happened post-colonization one has to go
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through colonization and decolonization of colonized nations as these topics are

inter-connected.

IMPACT OF COLONIAL RULE

Colonizers had drastically impacted the state of nation in negative way. They
forced government to impose high-rate tax and farmers were forced to give a
large amount of their grown crops as tax to colonizers.
Colonizers flourished by destroy colonial’s economy. They would export raw
material from them and sell the final product in the market at double price that
would indirectly help colonizer’s nation grow more. From that we could
interpret that they grew on the cost of other nations.
One classic example of this is the Bengal famine in 1943. Britishers had put
emphasis on growing cash crops rather than crops that would feed the
population of India. They imported food from various parts of the empire to
feed their own citizens. The death count was increasing and almost ten million
people fell victim to this human-caused devastation.
The introduction of western education system had both positive and negative
impact. While it provided access to new knowledge, it often served the purpose
of training a class of locals to assist in the administration of the colony.
Colonizers feared that they might plan against them by writing and speaking in
native language, so they made their (colonizer) language superior, and language
is a powerful tool that help a country get freedom from dominance.
The straightforward destruction of native culture apart, colonialism induced
damage of more permanent kind. It induced the natives to abandon their culture
and way of life and imitate the colonials. This meant that natives ended up as
pale imitation of white man.
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EXAMPLES AROSS THE WORLD

1.Central Asia: India

Exploitation and Cultural Suppression in Assam and Manipur
British colonial rule in Northeast India, particularly in Assam and Manipur,
involved economic exploitation, including forced labor in tea plantations and
the extraction of resources. Indigenous cultures faced suppression, and the
imposition of external systems disrupted traditional governance.

Bengal Famine of 1943

he Bengal Famine of 1943 was exacerbated by British policies during World
War II. The British administration diverted resources for the war effort, leading
to a scarcity of food supplies. Additionally, the forced rice policy worsened the
situation, as rice was requisitioned from Bengal for the British military, leaving
local populations vulnerable to starvation.

2.Pacific Islands: Papua New Guinea

Exploitation and Social Disruption
They experienced German and later Australian administration during the
colonial period. The exploitation of natural resources, including timber and
minerals, had environmental consequences. The introduction of foreign diseases
and social disruptions affected indigenous communities.

3.South America: Algeria

Algerian War of Independence
Algeria was a French colony for over 130 years. The Algerian War of
Independence, marked by intense conflict and brutal repression, was a response
to French colonial rule. The Algerian population endured widespread human
rights abuses, including torture and massacres.
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4. Southeast Asia: Vietnam

French Colonial Exploitation
Vietnam was a French colony from the mid-19th century until the mid-20th
century. The French extracted resources, imposed heavy taxes, and exploited
Vietnamese labor for economic gain. The exploitation of resources, particularly
rubber and indigo, contributed to environmental degradation and economic
disparities.

5. Southeast Africa: Zimbabwe

British Colonization and Land Policies
British colonization in Zimbabwe involved the dispossession of Indigenous
people from their lands, which were then allocated to European settlers. The
implementation of racially discriminatory land policies and the seizure of fertile
land had long-lasting social and economic consequences.

6. Caribbean: Jamaica
Plantation Economy and Slavery
Jamaica, under British colonial rule, was dominated by a plantation economy
reliant on sugarcane cultivation. The use of enslaved African laborers in harsh
conditions led to profound social and economic inequalities. Slavery and its
legacy deeply impacted the demographic composition and cultural fabric of the
land.
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KEY POST-COLONIAL THINKERS AND THEORIES/ WORK

EDWARD SAID - ORIENTALISM (1978)

Orientalism is the production of ideas, knowledge, and opinion about the orient
(the countries of the East). In this text he has analyzed how western people
represent the east (false image) and these were intertwined with colonial power
structures. This work emphasized role of knowledge production, so that
colonizers can keep dominating and flourishing.

GAYATRI CHAKROVORTY SPIVAK – CAN THE SUBALTERN SPEAK?

(1988)
She is well known post-colonial feminist writer. In her work she explains the
challenges of representing voice of marginalized group, especially women.
Condition of women in post-colonial era, how they are constructed as absent,
neglected, silent or someone who is not listened.

CHINUA ACHEBE – THINGS FALL APART (1958)

He was a Nigerian novelist, and he is known as father of African literature. In
his most famous work, he tells the story of an Igbo village's reaction to British
missionaries and colonial authorities.

MAHATMA GANDHI- HIND SWARAJ (1909)

It is considered a foundational text in Gandhian thought and provides insight
into Gandhi's critique of modernity. In this work, Gandhi argued for a radical
form of self-rule, emphasizing moral and spiritual values as the foundation of a
sustainable society and envisioned a decentralized and self-sufficient India that
governed itself without imitating Western models of civilization.
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IDENTITY AND CULTURE

Colonialism had significant impact on Asian and African cultures that its effect
will probably never wear off. Colonizers overthrew established traditional and
local norms, rejecting native beliefs as superstitions. The crisis of cultural
identity resulted in a kind of schizophrenic madness. The constant insults by the
whites and endless denial of his native culture resulted in unstable condition for
individuals. As their culture was seen inferior and were not allowed to practice,
they started to lose their identity. The mimicry of whites became a way of
negotiating with state of non- identity. As a result, native culture lost its bearing
and roots.
Culture is passed from one generation to another but during colonial rule,
people were prohibited to practice this or considered them inferior. As a result,
next generation did not know about their past like what they used to do or where
can they find their past, the actual past that is untouched by colonizers.

LANGUAGE AND PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT REGION

Language is a powerful tool that can flourish a nation or destroy it completely.
Language helps in transmitting culture. It helps to foster feeling of group
identity. It has an everlasting impact on society. The languages that are
neglected lose their essence and at last vanish. It is a means by which tradition
and culture are preserved. Colonizers attacked this and influenced native people
to speak colonizer’s language. Language serves as mirror of nation and ruled by
people who speak similar language. Reclaiming Indigenous languages helps to
decolonize the nation.
Different regions experienced colonization in distinct ways, with varying
degrees of exploitation and resistance. The historical context of colonization,
economic challenges and opportunities influence the post-colonial identity.
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NATIONALISM AND MOVEMENTS

Nationalism is an ideology that emphasizes loyalty, devotion, or allegiance to a
nation or nation-state and holds that such obligations outweigh other individual
or group interests. In post-colonial times, this often meant a desire for the newly
independent nation to build its own identity, culture, and government.
Nationalism post-colonization could involve celebrating local traditions,
languages, and histories. It played a significant role in shaping the identities and
aspirations of newly independent nations as they sought to define themselves on
their terms.

1.India - Quit India Movement

It was a mass protest against British rule led by the Indian National Congress
and Mahatma Gandhi. The movement demanded an end to British colonialism
and immediate self-rule for India and that lead to India’s independence.

2. South Africa - Anti-Apartheid Movement

It was a movement Led by figures like Nelson Mandela and the African
National Congress. The movement involved protests, boycotts, and international
campaigns against apartheid policies.

3. Palestine - Anti-British Resistance

The Arab Revolt in the late 1930s and early 1940s represented resistance against
British colonial rule. The struggle played a role in establishment of the state of
Israel.

4. Sudan - Mahdist Revolution

Mahdist movement in the late 19th century led by Muhammad Ahmad sought to
resist Anglo-Egyptian rule in Sudan. the Mahdist state was eventually defeated
but Sudan gained independence in 1956 after a prolonged struggle against
colonial rule.
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LITERATURE AND ART

Works captured social and cultural impact of colonial rule in society. They were
about history and obsession with history is thus closely linked to overarching
goal of decolonization. Every post-colonial literature’s main purpose was to
raise national awareness. This meant constructing images of tribe history,
glorifying it’s past and rejuvenating pride. Writers from the world like Asia,
Africa and south America search for layers of memories that have been
untouched by colonial historiography. Works captured cultural and social impact
of colonial rule in native, non-Western society.

R.K. Narayana’s popular novel ‘Swami and Friends,’ the sculpture teacher,
Ebenezar described as a ‘Fanatic,’ rejects Hinduism and rants and raves against
Hindu idolatory: ‘oh, wretched idiots!’ the teacher said... ‘Why do you worship,
dirty, wooden idols and stone images? ...What did your god do when
Mohammad of Gazni smashed them into pieces?’ Author here showed how
colonial rule and English education rejected native belief system as preliminary
moment to install Christianity as only true faith.

Chinua Achebe’s work ‘Things fall apart,’ he questions the European- generated
image of kind-hearted colonialism. He shows how violent, selfish and
destructive colonialism actually has been that it erased local culture and system.
Protagonist is afraid that the old ways will soon be lost. Europeans projected
itself as an attractive alternative to native’s own religion and culture.

Maya Angelou’s poem ‘still I rise’ from her book ‘And still I rise.’ In this work
she confidently tells the so-called superior people can write about her in
negative way but that won’t bother her. She proudly says no matter what
happens she will face the challenges and continue to rise. ‘Bringing the gifts
that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave.’ Here the gift
could be her culture and dream and hope of slavery refers to ancestors who were
slaves and dreamed of the day when black people could write and have voice of
their own, so people would understand how they felt.
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Rabindranath Tagore's novel ‘The Home and the World’ that grows out of the
anti-partition Swadeshi movement, the tradition and the modern approach of
life. The novel focuses on the battle of ideas between tradition and western
culture. It reminds us of balance, empathy, and looking within ourselves in a
world that struggles with old and new ways.

Salman Rushdie’s novel ‘Midnight's Children’ tells the dramatic and

extraordinary story about postcolonial India. Novel follows the life of Saleem
Sinai, a boy born at the exact moment of India's independence in 1947. It
reflects on the cultural and religious diversity of India, as well as the struggles
for power.

"A Far Cry from Africa" is a poem written by Derek Walcott. The poem engages
with postcolonial themes and reflects on the poet's complex relationship with
Africa and the impact of colonialism. It reflects the violence and conflicts
arising from the struggle for freedom and the sense of displacement experienced
by those caught between different cultural and historical forces. It explores the
complex relationship between colonized peoples and the language that they’re
often pushed to adopt.

A famous painting from India that reflects the post-colonial era is "Bharat Mata"
by Abanindranath Tagore. It symbolizes India as a mother goddess, embodying
the spirit of a newly emerging nation seeking independence from British rule.

The Liberation of Aunt Jemima" by Betye Saar. She transforms the stereotypical
image of Aunt Jemima, a character rooted in racist caricature, into a symbol of
empowerment.

The painting "Mother India" by M.F. Husain. Painted in 1955, Husain's

masterpiece depicts the figure of Mother India as a powerful and nurturing
presence, symbolizing the newly independent nation. In this painting, Mother
India is shown as a central female figure with symbols of various states and
regions within the country. It reflects the diversity, strength, and unity of India.
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CONCLUSION
Colonialism was not merely political control during the eighteenth and
nineteenth century. It is the medium through which colonizers destroyed or
modified culture and knowledge of these nations. The countries that were
colonized even today are referred as ‘Third World countries’ as they emerged
from under the shadow of colonial rule after a prolonged period of anti- colonial
struggle. Post-colonial obsession with history is closely related to the
overarching goal of decolonization. various key thinkers put forward their ideas
like Orientalism and hind swaraj. The effect of colonization was different all
across the colonized nations.
Nationalism post-colonization could involve celebrating local traditions,
languages, and histories. It played a significant role in shaping the identities and
aspirations of newly independent nations as they sought to define themselves on
their terms. Works by various authors captured social and cultural impact of
colonial rule in society.
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REFERENCE

 Nayar, Pramod K. Postcolonial Literature: An Introduction,

Nineteenth Edition. Pearson Education Ltd.

 Dibaranjan, Mondal. “Re-reading Tagore’s The Home and the

World: A Study of Contesting Modernities.” The Creative
launcher, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 34-39,2021.
https://www.redalyc.org/journal/7038/703873558007/html/#:~:t
ext=The%20novel%20grows%20out%20of,western%20culture
%20in%20colonial%20period.

 “Midnight’s Children.” SparkNotes.

https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/midnightschildren/summary/

 Griffin, Brandan. "A Far Cry from Africa." LitCharts. LitCharts

LLC, 8 Jul 2020.
https://www.litcharts.com/poetry/derek-walcott/a-far-cry-from-
africa

 Kohn, Hans. "nationalism". Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Dec.

2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/nationalism.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/nationalism

 “The Home and the World Summary.” Java T point.

https://www.javatpoint.com/the-home-and-the-world-summary