Heart Like a Fakir

Focusing on General Sir James Abbott, this book delves into the final years of the British East India Company, intertwining his experiences as an explorer and district officer with the broader themes of colonial social and sexual dynamics. It reexamines the complex relationships between Britons and Indians, highlighting the unraveling of their social contract and suggesting Abbott's potential influence on the character of Mr. Kurtz in Heart of Darkness. Through Abbott's life, the narrative sheds light on the intricacies of colonial interactions during a pivotal historical period.