Published Paper Details:

The paper traces the socio- cultural scenario of nineteenth century India and the prevalent beliefs and practices of the people as presented in Amitav Ghosh's Sea of Poppies. The narrative is mainly dictated by two great events- the incidents leading to the first Opium War and the Golden Triangle Trade between India, China and Britain and the great migration of the peasants to the plantations in the British colonies. Individuals incorporate into new societies and redefine their identities in new environments, acculturation and cultural relativism saw the analytical method of comprehending contemporary processes of movement of people across borders. Amitav Ghosh has emerged as one of the prominent writers of Indian postmodern nliterature. Ghosh's novels centre around various issues of postmodern age. The important traits of postmodern fiction such as fluid identity, migration, plurality, hybridity, multiculturalism, blending of fact and fiction, human insecurities and questioning nature appear as major thems and narrative strategies in his works and displacement occupy a unique place in the fictional work of Ghoshs. Though his characters are commonly nomadic, they move from one place to another, and some establish diaspora. In alienated places, they as diasporic establish communities and collective homes; these communities are ever subject to change with time and place. As the displaced create more complex relationships, they tend to regroup and congregate with others who have already moved to the alienated lands. Reforming, integrating and renegotiating are the prominent themes of the migrant groups that encounter new host environments.