Of Many Heroes: An Indian Essay in Literary Historiography

Of Many Heroes’ is an essay exploring the history of literary history in India during the last two thousand years. It examines various historiographical statements in ancient, medieval and modern India. It also examines the impact of the experience of colonising India on literary historiography in Britain. A brief account of some major twentieth century theories of literary history in the west is presented in the book in juxtaposition with an account of historiographical approaches to literature in contemporary India. The essay examines theoretical questions related to para-literature, literary translation and oral traditions and argues for their inclusion in literary canons described by literary history. G.N. Devy’s essay convincingly argues that literary historiography in India has its own native tradition and that the complexity of Indian literary tradition proves western models inadequate as historiographical strategy. This work forms a sequel to his earlier essay on literary criticism, After Amnesia.