This document discusses the history and concepts of subaltern studies and post-colonial theory. It notes that subaltern studies originated from Marxism, post-structuralism, and post-colonial criticism to give voice to underrepresented groups. Key figures mentioned include Antonio Gramsci, who first coined the term "subaltern" to describe subordinate social groups, and Ranajit Guha and Gayatri Spivak, influential early leaders in the subaltern studies movement seeking to deconstruct elite histories and allow subaltern voices to be heard. While change has been gradual, the document argues that globalization has shifted perspectives on issues of class, caste, and identity, and subaltern groups are making increasing progress having their

1. Dr.A.Ramasubbiah
Assistant Professor of English
Mannar Thirumalai Naicker college
Madurai
Marginalization - A Shifting Phenomenon

2. • Post-colonial theory is a new field of study which has become one of
the most prominent academic disciplines in world literature.
• It persistently generated an enormous literature especially by literary
criticism feminists, art of critics, social reformists, political scientists &
Political Economists
• It made its own domain of attention extended beyond the other fields
of global academics like African American literature , literary theory
and criticisms, anthology and cultural studies
• Consequently, subaltern studies has become one of the latest
subdivisions of post-colonial theory
Introduction

3. • 2 decades old in the 20th century and another 2 decades in the 21st
century
• Subaltern studies, postcolonial theory & criticism increased its
momentum, particularly in the wake of globalization in the third
world nations.
• If post-colonial criticism is considered as a consequence of post
modernism, subaltern studies originates its energy from Marxism,
post structuralism and turns as a branch of post-colonial criticism
History of Subaltern theory

4. Introduction to the concept of Subaltern
• The idea of the subaltern was primarily referred by the Italian Marxist,
political protester Antonio Gramisci in his article Notes on Italian History
which was published later
• It is his most extensively acknowledged book Prison Notebooks written
between 1929 to 1935
• The selection from the Prison Notebooks later edited and translated &
published in 1971 by Quinton& Norwell Smith

5. Introduction to the concept of Subaltern
• He affirmed that the subaltern was the term subjected to the people
of underclass in the society on whom the dominant power puts forth
its hegemonic power and impact.
• It also refers to inferior status or rank, power, authority and action
• In general subaltern class include peasant workers and other groups
who have been denied access to hegemonic power

6. Introduction to the concept of Subaltern
• Subaltern studies began in India when writing initiated on subaltern
studies as book reviews
• A unique school of research had been launched in 1986. The supporter
came to be called Subalternists or Subalterns
• Their influential essays published in paperback as selected subaltern
studies was published by Oxford University Press in New york and Oxford
in 1988 edited by Ranajith Guha and Gayathri Spivak with a foreword by
Edward Said.

7. Introduction to the concept of Subaltern
• By 1990’s the famous American historian Burton Stein (1990) cited the
subaltern studies as a growing interest and declares it as a decade of Historical
Manifestations in South Asian Studies.
• Subaltern studies extended in the literary arena as Subaltern studies Group or
the Subaltern studies Collective which was launched in the 1980’s by a group of
eminent Indian Scholars

8. • Guha, a historian of South Asia, a prominent figure in subaltern studies, was
the editor of several of the group’s early anthologies, migrated from India to
the UK in 1959 was a reader in History in the University of Sussex.
• Subaltern studies initiated its impressive work in England from the end of
1970’s when discussion on subaltern themes among a small group of
England and Indian historians led to a plan to launch a new journal in India.
• Oxford University Press came forward to publish 3 volumes of essays titled
“Subaltern Studies: Writings on South Asian History and Society From 1982
onwards”
Ranajith Guha

9. • The objective is to retake history for the under classes whose voices had
been heard earlier. Scholars of the subaltern group anticipated to get rid of
the histories of elite, Eurocentric bias of existing imperial history
• The first and foremost leader of this literary movement was Guha written on
peasants aspirings in India .This group also compresses many South Asian
historians, Social critics and Scholars including Dibesh Chakravarthy.
• Guha looks for the Justice of the Indian peasant by investigating the
relationship between domination and subjugation in Indian context from 1783
to 1900. He suggests for the need to uphold a systematic dialogue of
subordination and domination in South Asian history and Society.

10. • 1942, Indian Scholar, Literary theorists,
Feminist Critic professor at Columbia
University and one of the most influential
postcolonial intellectual.
• Can Subaltern Speak? - Challenges the
idea of colonial subject, marked a
paradigm shift in postcolonial studies.
Gayathri Chakravarthy Spivak

11. • Her message is being heard socially and politically.
• Subalterns are mute. She argues that subaltern historians should not just
offer counter narratives, but also deconstruct the concept of History.
• The subaltern histories speak for the indigenous and genuine history but
they cannot survive independent of the historians. They deauthorise as
Bourgeois nationality

12. • Nothing is permanent except change in the world. The Subalterns should
persist to make their place clear before the power.
• Subaltern studies became a unique place for a new land of history from
below. It became entangled with efforts to reimagine history itself.
• Rapid globalization has changed human perspectives/outlook over caste,
creed and colour.
• Even though there is not a phenomenal change, drastic change, a
change is happened, is happening will happen in future also.
• So far their voice was muted but gradually heard in the society
Sum Up:

13. Thank You