Archive · 25 Oct 2025
Book Review: British Colonialism's Impact on Queer India
This book reviews a new book about the history of LGBTQ+ people in India.
It talks about how the British, when they ruled India, made laws that were unfair to queer people.
The book explores how the British changed Indian views on desire and sexuality.
The author discusses how laws like Section 377, and others, negatively affected queer communities.
The review also touches upon different types of queer identities and practices that existed before British rule.
Overall, the book seeks to understand how British colonialism altered queer life in India.
The book examines the impact of British colonialism on India's queer past.
Rajasekaran's book is described as a history of queer India.
The book explores how the British created 'criminal' categories for queer bodies.
The review questions the potential for the book to oversimplify pre-colonial India as a queer utopia.
The reviewer points out factual inaccuracies.
- Who
- Sindhu Rajasekaran (author)
- What
- Explores the history of queer culture in India and the impact of British colonialism through the book 'Forbidden Desire'.
- When
- Book published recently.
- Where
- Focuses on India.
- Why
- To examine how British colonialism shaped perceptions and laws regarding queer individuals.
- Book Title
- Forbidden Desire: How the British Stole India’s Queer Pasts and Queer Futures
- Author
- Sindu Rajasekaran
- Focus
- History of queer culture in India and the impact of British colonialism
- Key Argument
- British colonialism negatively impacted India's queer past.
- Key Legislation
- Section 377, Contagious Diseases Act, and Criminal Tribes Act