Author(s): Rama Shanker, Dr Anil Kumar Jaiswal

Abstract: This research paper is a study of the pride and prejudice of the ruling Britishers against the Indians and the glimpses of Indian politicians who are detrimental to the progress and prosperity of India due to their opportunistic nationalism. It projects the story of the British men who stayed in India for a long time left no stone unturned for vulgarizing the Indians through different means. The story of the novel Combat of Shadows revolves round the central figure Henry Winton, the British Plantation Manager of the Brindian Tea Company. In spite of the difference in race and nationality, Henry Winton is well intentioned; but soon, he finds himself in a demoralising and dehumanising situation which leads him towards corruption and moral degeneration. For the purpose of giving moral pills, Malgonkar chooses Henry Winton who has nothing to do with morals and code of conduct on which life should be based. He does what he likes and remains lost in the jungle of sensual pleasure. By showing him burning alive in a game-cottage, the author forms the lessons in an appalling way which makes one keep away from the path trodden by persons like Henry Winton.

Keywords: Racialism, detrimental, opportunistic, vulgarizing, dehumanising, race and nationality.

Article Info: Received: 05 May 2026; Received in revised form: 01 Jun 2026; Accepted: 05 Jun 2026; Available online: 11 Jun 2026

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.113.59