

Post Colonialism and its Concepts
The study of the period after Western Colonialism is called post colonialism. It is a study of the consequences of colonialism that the native people felt such as control, exploitation, loss of properties, human rights, etc. It also analyzes the transformation and development of culture, history, discourse, and literature of European imperialism. In this article, we will discuss what postcolonialism is and what its effects are.
What is Post Colonialism?
The study of the aftermath of imperialism on the countries due to the invasion and settlement of the European countries is called post colonialism. It shows the effect on the native people who have been subordinated by the colonial rules in different parts of the world resulting in one of the biggest chapters of the history of mankind.
The characteristics of postcolonialism symbolize a significant change in the society for overcoming colonialism and also depict the different ways of dominating the subordinate or native population wielded by the colonial rules. It also showed the formation of new empires that spread across the continents resulting in an unending urge for power and domination to showcase. The time span considered to study this part of the history of mankind ranges from the 15th Century till the 20th Century.
The historians and theorists investigate the various graphs of modernity from different cultural, historical, and philosophical perspectives. It can be simply described as a critical theory formulated based on the analysis of contemporary culture, history, and literature depicting a diverse set of approaches. There are attritions in the theories and analysis done by the historians regarding this era. Not all the implications agree with each other.
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If we consider postcolonial studies with an anthropological angle, it gives us a clearer understanding of colonial life. From a deeper angle, this subject also leads to the examination of political power and social relationships sustaining neo colonialism and colonization. It surrounds the colonized and the colonizer. This approach, on the other hand, might overlap with contemporary history and draws examples related to historiography, anthropology, political science, sociology, human geography, and philosophy.
Concept of Post Colonialism
Now that we know what is postcolonialism, let us concentrate on the basic concept that reflects on European colonial power and its effect on South American, Asian, and African countries. It all started back in the 15th Century with the urge of the European countries to explore the world and to set their dominion on unmapped lands.
Since then, the settlement of the colonizers and their self-proclaimed rule resulted in a drastic change in the political, social, and cultural spheres of the colonized countries. Later on, struggles and revolutions erupted across these countries against the colonial rules resulting in gaining independence from such rulers. The time after these countries gained independence is considered to be the post-colonial era and its study is coined postcolonialism.
The criticism and characteristics of this colonial rule on the quoted third-world countries can be depicted in the following points.
The dethroning of the colonial rule resulted in the formation of new governments in those countries resulting in the development of a new sociopolitical sphere. It offered newfound freedom to the people whose generations were under the impact of colonial rule.
The sovereign countries and states described and asserted their independence from such rules and prepared their policies depicting freedom and democracy. Their policies signified social and economic development in all possible spheres.
With freedom, many other things evolved in society. It brought along the practice of culture and religion.
These are the prime characteristics of postcolonialism that reflect the certain changes and transformations occurring in the countries under colonial rule and the independence they got.
Post-Colonial Literature
The literature developed during this era depicts the interaction of the colonials with the natives. By the end of mid 20th Century, a major part of the colonial empires was under the local political government. Previously, it was under the impression of the European countries enjoying sovereign authority.
This impression can be found in the art and literature produced by contemporary authors, writers, painters, etc. These creations became the right dimension to study the features of colonialism and the postcolonial era.
According to this literature produced by the post colonial writers, there are four types of colonialism.
Settler colonialism
Surrogate colonialism
Exploitation colonialism
Internal colonialism
The postcolonial criticism thus reflects on the following points.
It is a study and analysis of politics and cultural resistance mentioned in the colonialism history.
The ideas of social justice, democracy, and emancipation against the oppressive rule, discrimination, and racism emerge from such criticism.
The contrasting differences between the natives and the colonial population reflect in the colonial literature.
Post Colonialism in India
The time span between 1947 till the 1980s depicts the post-colonial era in India. After the formation of a new democratic government, India saw a huge transformation from a regional scattered power to a global player. The impression of India we have these days is the nifty work of the then eminent personalities constituting the political status of India.
These decision-makers thoughtfully and judiciously converted India into a superpower after emerging from a tattered condition in 1947. The post-era of Western Colonialism is signified as post colonialism in India.
This is a short introduction to the postcolonialism that shows the development of new governments and the steady growth of countries right after the overthrow of colonial rules. This significant development can be depicted from the comparison and references given in the literature of the colonial and post-colonial eras.
FAQs on Post Colonialism
1. What do you mean by Postcolonialism?
Postcolonialism is a critical academic study that analyses the cultural, political, and economic legacy of colonialism and imperialism. It focuses on the impact of colonial rule on colonised societies and their responses to it, both during and after the period of foreign rule. It explores themes of identity, power, race, and the ways in which colonial narratives can be challenged and rewritten.
2. What is the main difference between colonialism and postcolonialism?
The primary difference lies in their focus and timeframe. Colonialism refers to the actual historical period and practice of one country establishing control over another, exploiting its people and resources. Postcolonialism, on the other hand, is a theoretical and critical approach that studies the consequences and ongoing effects of that colonial experience after the formal end of colonial rule.
3. How is colonization different from colonialism?
While often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference. Colonization is the physical act of settling in and establishing control over an indigenous population in a foreign territory. Colonialism is the broader ideology and set of policies that justify and maintain this state of dependency and domination. In short, colonization is the practice, while colonialism is the underlying theory and political system.
4. Who are the key thinkers associated with postcolonial theory?
Several influential thinkers have shaped postcolonial theory. Edward Said is often considered a foundational figure for his work 'Orientalism'. Other key theorists include Homi K. Bhabha, known for concepts like hybridity and mimicry, and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, famous for her essay 'Can the Subaltern Speak?'.
5. What are the major themes explored in postcolonial studies?
Postcolonial studies delve into several recurring themes that examine the aftermath of colonial rule. Key themes include:
- Identity and Hybridity: How colonial rule fragmented and reshaped individual and national identities.
- Resistance: The ways in which colonised people resisted colonial power, both overtly and subtly.
- Rewriting History: Challenging the Eurocentric historical narratives written by the colonisers.
- Language: The role of the coloniser's language and the struggle to reclaim native languages and forms of expression.
- Power and Exploitation: Analysing the continuing economic and political power imbalances in the world.
6. How does postcolonialism apply to the Indian context?
In the Indian context, postcolonialism is crucial for understanding the challenges faced after 1947. It helps analyse the legacy of the British Raj, including the partition of India, the creation of a new constitution, the challenge of linguistic and religious diversity, and the economic policies adopted to overcome colonial exploitation. It also examines how Indian writers and thinkers have worked to create a national identity distinct from its colonial past.
7. Why is it important for students to study postcolonialism today?
Studying postcolonialism is important because it provides critical tools to understand the modern world. It helps explain the roots of many contemporary global inequalities, political conflicts, and cultural tensions. For students, it fosters a deeper understanding of history from multiple perspectives, not just the victor's, and encourages critical thinking about power, identity, and representation in media and politics.
8. Can you give some examples of postcolonial literature?
Postcolonial literature often deals with the experience of decolonization and its aftermath. Some classic examples include:
- 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe, which depicts pre-colonial life in Nigeria and the arrival of Europeans.
- 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie, an allegorical novel about India's transition from British colonialism to independence.
- 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy, which explores the lingering effects of the caste system and colonial mindsets in modern India.

















