What is the history of the Indian novel in English?

The history of the Indian novel in English is quite rich and diverse. It began to emerge in the 19th century and has seen significant growth and evolution over time.

In 2015, the Indian novel in English saw a growth in diverse themes and authors exploring contemporary issues.

The history of Indian English fiction has several important aspects. Firstly, the colonial influence played a role in its development. Writers initially were influenced by Western literary forms while trying to convey Indian stories. For instance, Mulk Raj Anand was among those early voices. He wrote about the downtrodden in India, presenting their lives to the English - reading world. As time passed, the genre became more diverse. Writers like Vikram Seth, with his epic 'A Suitable Boy', added to the richness. His novel, with its detailed portrayal of Indian society, became a classic in Indian English fiction. And more recently, the works of Chetan Bhagat have reached a wide audience, making Indian English fiction more accessible to the masses.

Salman Rushdie is very influential. His works are known for their magical realism and complex narratives that blend Indian and Western elements. Another is R.K. Narayan. His simple yet profound stories about Malgudi town have charmed readers worldwide. And Arundhati Roy, with her unique style in 'The God of Small Things', has also made a great impact.

One characteristic is the rich portrayal of Indian culture. Indian English novels often vividly depict the diverse traditions, festivals, and family values in India. Another is the use of multiple languages within the text. They may incorporate Hindi, Urdu or other local languages' words and phrases, adding to the authenticity. Also, many Indian English novels deal with complex social issues like caste system, poverty and gender inequality.

It's 'Rajmohan's Wife'. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was a pioneer. This novel was a significant step for Indian literature in English. It presented a view of Indian life and culture to the English - reading world, with its own unique narrative style and character portrayals. It also influenced later Indian English novelists in terms of how they could approach their own writing in this language.

The first Indian English novel is generally considered to be 'Rajmohan's Wife' by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. It was published in 1864.

One feature is the rich cultural portrayal. Indian English novels often vividly depict the diverse cultures, traditions, religions and social hierarchies in India. Another is the use of local languages' influence on English. There are unique idioms and expressions borrowed from Indian languages. Also, many novels deal with themes like post - colonial identity, as India has a complex colonial past which still lingers in the national psyche.

The origin of the Indian English novel lies in the interaction between Indian culture and the English language imposed by the British. Indians, exposed to Western literary forms through English education, began to blend their own rich cultural heritage with English literary techniques. This led to the emergence of a unique genre. For example, Raja Rao's works are deeply influenced by Indian philosophy and mythology while being written in English, showing the origin from the melding of two different cultural and linguistic worlds.

The first Indian English novel is often considered to be 'Rajmohan's Wife' by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.