After Mother India

Katherine Mayo's Mother India (1927) is a critical examination of Indian society under British rule, highlighting issues like poverty, child marriage, caste discrimination, and the exploitation of women, especially through the practice of "devadasis" (temple prostitution). Mayo’s portrayal of India as backward and mired in superstition sparked intense criticism, particularly from Indian nationalists, who accused her of misrepresenting the country. Despite the backlash, the book became a key text in colonial discourse, shaping Western views of India during the British colonial period