Un-Constitutionalism of the British Raj
Ahmad Aqeel Sarwar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16527406
Abstract. This research paper examines the concept of constitutionalism in the context of British colonial rule in India, focusing on the narrative of Saadat Hasan Manto. Constitutionalism, as a principle, advocates for limited government power and adherence to legal constraints, encompasses civil rights, freedom of expression, equality, and due process of law as safeguards against state abuse. Manto’s firsthand experiences of the Empire’s atrocities reveal the exploitative nature of the laws enforced during colonial rule. Rather than upholding the basic human rights of the native population, these laws were designed to suppress dissent and legitimize the colonizers’ dominion. The research centers around Manto’s short story, “Nayā Qānoon” (The New Constitution), which takes place against the backdrop of the Government of India Act 1935. Employing a New Historicist approach, this study examines “Naya Qanoon” alongside the Act of 1935 and relevant historical documents. By critically analyzing the narrative, contextualizing it within the broader socio-political climate of the time, and scrutinizing the intentions behind the British Empire’s laws, this research aims to shed light on the unconstitutional nature of the colonial regime. This research aims to enhance our understanding of the Empire’s exploitative mechanisms and their impact on the civil rights of the native population.
Keywords. Constitutionalism, Resistance, Civil Rights, Progressive Writers, Urdu Progressive Writers.
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Ahmad Aqeel Sarwar is serving as Assistant Professor of English in the Higher Education Department of Government of the Punjab, Pakistan. He holds an MA in Global Literature and Culture from the University of York, UK. His research interests include postcolonial literature, with a particular focus on resistance narratives and their cultural contexts.
Email: ahmad.aqeel@alumni.york.ac.uk
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4336-4935
Un-Constitutionalism of the British Raj © 2025 by Ahmad Aqeel Sarwar is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
