Deconstructing the Hegemony of History:A Study of Postcolonial Resistance in the Indian and African Perspective

Dr. Somdev Banik

Volume : VI, Issue : II, February - 2016

Deconstructing the Hegemony of History:A Study of Postcolonial Resistance in the Indian and African Perspective

Dr. Somdev Banik

Abstract :

Rewriting history had been one of the crucial tools in the reconstruction of post–colonial nations. Hegelian historical principle was incorporated by colonial ideology in order to justify imperial civilizing missions throughout history. African and India post–colonial intellectuals always emphasized the role of the writer over the politician in reclaiming the nation. Gandhi in the Indian context, formulated an alternative model of historicizing, by deemphasizing the aggressive, imperialist spirit of history, thereby taking the battle to conquering of the minds. Gandhi privileged myths over history. In the African context, we find Achebe privileging storytelling as an alternative to history proper in Anthills of Savannah. Thus, nationalist excavations of myths, legends and stories emerged as postcolonial alternatives to Western hegemony of historical narratives