The 19th century marked a significant period in the history of travel and storytelling, particularly in relation to India, a land that was rapidly becoming a focal point of European colonial ambitions. The encounter between the East and the West during this era not only fostered an intense curiosity about the subcontinent but also shaped the way it was perceived, portrayed, and consumed in the West. This essay will delve into the impact of colonialism on travel and storytelling in 19th-century India, focusing on the role of travelers, authors, and the imperial discourse that governed their experiences.
The 19th century witnessed an unprecedented increase in travel to India, driven primarily by the British Empire’s expansion and administrative needs. Among the travelers who ventured into the subcontinent were writers and artists, who, inspired by their experiences, began to document their encounters with India and its people. One such traveler was Pierre Loti (1850-1923), a French naval officer and writer, who, under the pseudonym Julien Viaud, wrote extensively about his travels in India.
Loti’s works, such as “Aziyadé” (1879) and “Pêcheur d’Islande” (1876), offer a unique perspective on the colonial encounter, as they depict the complex interplay between the East and the West, and the fascination, as well as the apprehension, that characterized the relationship between the traveler and the exoticized Other. In “Aziyadé,” Loti presents a love story between a French naval officer and an Indian woman, set against the backdrop of colonial Calcutta. The novel, while romanticizing the East, also critiques the imperial system and the racial prejudices that underpinned it.
The portrayal of India in Loti’s works, as well as those of other European travelers, was often informed by the imperial discourse that governed their experiences. This discourse, which positioned the West as civilized and the East as primitive, served to justify the colonial project and legitimize the subjugation of India. Travelers’ accounts, therefore, often reinforced these stereotypes, presenting India as a land of mystery, sensuality, and spirituality, but also as a land in need of Western civilization.
The impact of colonialism on travel and storytelling in 19th-century India was not limited to the portrayal of the subcontinent in European literature. The colonial administration also played a crucial role in shaping the travel experience by establishing infrastructure such as railways, roads, and hotels, which facilitated the movement of travelers and tourists. Furthermore, the British colonial government encouraged the establishment of institutions such as the Indian Museum in Calcutta and the Asiatic Society of Bengal, which attracted scholars and travelers to India.