Impacts of Extraneous Social Trends on Urdu Fiction; under Colonialism

Abstract

Each society possesses its unique history, which is not only a puzzle of
happenings, but it circumscribes the changes occurring in its political,
cultural, civilizational environment and absorb variations in traditions,
behaviors, and revolutions. Literature reflects the society, so it has a better
interpretation of those changes and elements which affect the society
positively or vice versa. Literature encompasses the views and thoughts
flourishing in a society. When Indian society turned into an industrial society
after being a feudal society and as a result changes occurred in cultural and
traditional norms, a mental restlessness took place not only in minds of
individuals but also in Urdu literature. These cultural, traditional, and
political alterations made notable impressions on the vast canvas of Urdu
Novel. Urdu novel, which was introduced in the colonial era, from its very
beginning, reflected the western imitation and regulations under the
colonialism, with a mindset that Indians are inferior, and they should be a
replica of their western masters. An elite class was flourished in British India
under colonialism. This elite class was imitated the western masters and their
lifestyle. This article reflects these imitations and its effects on Urdu novel and the Indian society through this medium.