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Writing the History of the Raj (1960s–2020s)

A classic-style oil painting of a historian reading a book, with a maritime scene in the background, symbolizing research and historical exploration of trade and empire.

By Professor Thomas R. Metcalf Introduction Over the past six decades, the historiography of British India—commonly referred to as “the Raj”—has undergone substantial transformation. From imperial justifications and nationalist grand narratives to the rise of subaltern voices and postcolonial critique,…