Echoes of Empire: Tracing Colonial Legacies and Subaltern Struggles in Contemporary Marginalization through A Passage to India

Abstract

This research examines the lasting effects of colonialism and the struggles of marginalized groups as depicted in E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India (1924). Through the lens of postcolonial theory, subaltern studies, and the modernity-coloniality framework, the research explores how colonial power structures and cultural dominance fostered social inequalities during British rule and continue to shape contemporary marginalization. By analyzing subaltern agency, particularly through the character of Dr. Aziz, the study investigates themes of resistance, cultural conflict, and power dynamics.Drawing on Gayatri Spivak’s concept of subalternity and Edward Said’s critique of Orientalism, the research sheds light on the historical and ongoing exclusion of oppressed groups. Critical Race Theory (CRT) adds depth to the analysis by linking the racial hierarchies of colonial India with modern systems of oppression. Aníbal Quijano’s idea of coloniality further reveals the enduring presence of colonial structures in today’s world.This research argues that A Passage to India not only critiques colonial domination but also provides insights into contemporary struggles for equality and representation. By connecting the novel’s themes to current social issues, it emphasizes the importance of understanding the fake believes of colonial powers to marginalized the non-western people,Now a days new concept of colonialism is prevailing and it is subjugating the lower class and silence people by controlling their mind through language and education.