Author(s): Dr. Sarbani Sankar Panigrahi

Abstract: This article explores the intricate relationship between Victorian literature and British colonial rule in India, examining how literary narratives both supported and challenged imperial ideologies. By analyzing selected texts from prominent Victorian authors alongside responses from Indian thinkers and writers, the study reveals the dual role of literature as a tool of colonial power and a medium of resistance. Drawing on postcolonial theory, the article highlights how literature became a site of cultural negotiation, where identities were shaped, contested, and reimagined within the colonial context.

Keywords: Colonial India, Imperialism, Postcolonial theory, Resistance, Victorian literature.

Article Info: Received: 20 Aug 2026; Received in revised form: 14 Sep 2026; Accepted: 19 Sep 2026; Available online: 22 Sep 2026

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.115.19