The Oppressive Present

This book attempts to understand the dominant structure of social consciousness in modern India through a comprehensive analysis of literary and social texts generated in late-nineteenth century. It examines responses to Western ideals that influenced concepts of the individual, the family, the position of women, religious/caste differences and social hierarchy in the colonial period.

Sudhir Chandra is currently Associate Fellow, Nantes Institute of Advanced Studies, France.

Prologue to this Edition. Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1. Crushed by English Poetry 2. Tradition: Orthodox and Heretical 3. Defining the Nation. Conclusion. Notes. About the Author. Index