Colonialism is the internal disarticulation and exterior integration of the rural economy, as well as the

realization of the expanded reproduction of capital in the imperialist metropolis rather than the colony. The term
"colonialism" is derived from the Roman term "colonia," which meant "colony." To allude to the Romans who
established in areas, use the terms "farm" or "settlement." It is seen as the annexation of foreign regions by a
country by violent occupation. The phenomena began in the fourteenth century and progressed until the late
nineteenth century. Colonialism is commonly confused with imperialism, although the names signify distinct
things
Colonialism is as modern a historical phenomenon as industrial capitalism. It describes the distinct stage
in the modern historical development of the colony that intervenes between the traditional economy and the
modern capitalist economy. It is a well-structured whole, a distinct social formation in which the basic control of
the economy and society is in the hands of a foreign capitalist class. The form of the colonial structure varies with
the changing conditions of the historical development of capitalism as a world-wide system.
One basic feature of colonialism is that under it the colony is integrated into the world capitalist system
in a subordinate position. Colonialism is characterized by unequal exchange. The exploitative international
division of labour meant that the metropolis produced goods of high value with high technology and colonies
produced goods of low value and productivity with low technology. The colony produced raw materials while
the metropolis produced manufactured goods. The pattern of railway development in India in the second half of
the 19th Century was in keeping with the interests of British industry. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the Indian nationalist
leader, described this as decorating another’s wife. The colony was articulated with the world market but
internally disarticulated. Its agricultural sector did not serve its industry but the metropolitan economy and the
world market. The drain of wealth took place through unrequited exports and state expenditure on armed forces
and civil services. Foreign political domination is the fourth feature of Colonialism. Therefore, unequal exchange,
external integration and internal disarticulation, drain of wealth, and a foreign political domination may be
understood as the four main features of colonialism.
Colonial Literature basically means the literature woven around the themes concerned with the Colonial
period. Colonial period is the era when the Western colonizers subjugated many other countries in their quest for
natural resources and territories with the objective of spreading their hegemony over the other parts of the world.
As a consequence, many Eastern countries along with western countries became colonies of these Western
conquerors. Along with spreading their political and cultural hegemony they also spread their religion, which
was Christianity and Catholicism to their colonies. Thus, this period created complete reversals in the socio-
cultural aspects of these colonies.

Similarly, the literature composed during this period were mostly by these western colonizers as well.
They emphasize mainly on patronizing these colonial activities of the colonizers and expressing their experiences
as colonizers in these newly discovered territories of the world. Thus, many explorers and adventurers wrote
literature based on their discoveries which enabled them to get political support from the rulers of their countries
since, during this period, royal patronage and support was highly given for these explorers and voyagers who
discovered new lands for them to colonize and thus, spread their hegemony.

Most of the literary works belonging to this period are composed of letters, journals, biographies, and
memories. Through these works, they rather criticise the indigenous people’s cultural customs and values as
‘primitive’ while emphasizing on the fact that colonization under the guise of ‘civilisation’ is a necessity to them
by the colonizers. Puritans also wrote an immense amount of literature which falls into this category. They
wrote poetry and sermons in the service of Gods.

Some examples of American Colonial Literature include the poetry of Anne Bradstreet like ‘Bay Psalm
Book’, Pastor Edward Taylor’s ‘Preparatory Mediations’ and, the jeremiads produced by preachers like Increase
Mather and Jonathan Edwards are good examples of religious texts belonging to this literature which also laid
the foundation to the Puritanism. Mary Rowlandson’s narrative accounts of her experience as a captive by the
native Red Indians in America and the popular Indian captivity narratives depict the personal memoirs belonging
to this literature. The adventure series of Allan Quatermain by [Link] Haggard is another famous example of
Colonial literature.
 Colonialism of British has an influence on the education and literature of India. The writers of India started
to write short stories, poetry, and novels in the language of English. Successful writers such as [Link],
Rabindranath Tagore, Salman Rushdie etc, has written novels and poetry in English winning hearts of all at a
level international. English has brought such concept in colleges and schools being the second language however
it is the instruction medium. No doubt, the colonialism of British laid an effect on the sub-continent of India.
Colonialism further led to the ethnic violence through the addition of the social hierarchy concept. The influence
of British is ubiquitous and present in the subcontinent of Asia. The above can be attributed to the English
language persistence. Several Indians are seen to be conversant with the language of English as the colonialists
strive to export culture or their values through teaching of English to the Indian population. In colonies of British,
English language has led to the introduction of same in administration and education. America, Canada and
Australia undergo a similar colonialism impact, there by adopting the language to be the mother tongue. The
English dominance is remarkable at the time of British colonialism where the English language imperialism is
evident across the modern world succeeded by colonialism. As seen in the Asian continent, Colonialism of British
lays a huge effect on subcontinent of India. Furthermore, the British altered the administration, economy,
business, and trade India thereby introducing the English language which has turned to be the blessing in disguise
for the countrymen during the development phase. English is seen to replace Hindi in few aspects which is then
used in education, administration, trade & commerce and, information technology. There exists huge demand for
schools providing English education in India and now India is moving towards teachers that are qualified in
English both as domestic teaching and teaching in foreign nations. It cannot be denied that the literature is seen
to persist in the hybridized condition which never has the effect as powerful and hard to be caused by English
Literature discovery.