The Subaltern (1872)

The Subaltern is a novel written by George Robert Gleig and first published in 1872. The story is set during the early years of the British Empire and follows the life of a young officer in the British Army, named George Harcourt. Harcourt is a subaltern, a junior officer in the army, and the novel chronicles his experiences serving in India.The novel is divided into three parts, each of which focuses on a different period in Harcourt’s life. In the first part, Harcourt is sent to India and quickly learns the ways of the army and the local culture. He becomes friends with a fellow officer, named Jack Dormer, who introduces him to the pleasures of hunting and socializing with the local aristocracy.In the second part of the novel, Harcourt is sent to fight in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, a major uprising against British rule in India. He witnesses the brutal violence of the conflict and is forced to confront the realities of colonialism and imperialism. He also falls in love with a local woman, named Zuleika, who challenges his assumptions about race and culture.The third part of the novel follows Harcourt’s return to England, where he struggles to readjust to civilian life. He faces financial difficulties and is haunted by his experiences in India. He also reunites with Zuleika, who has followed him to England, and must decide whether to pursue a relationship with her despite the social and cultural barriers that separate them.Overall, The Subaltern is a compelling and nuanced exploration of colonialism, race, and identity in the British Empire. Gleig’s vivid descriptions of life in India and his sympathetic portrayal of the Indian characters make this novel a valuable contribution to the literature of the period.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world’s literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.