Historical Imagination and Cultural Responses to Colonialism and Nationalism: A Critical Malay(sian) Perspective

Historical Imagination and Cultural Responses to Colonialism and Nationalism invites readers to probe the colonialist and nationalist tampering, suppression, and distortion of narratives on the Malays by treating history as a form of ‘imagination’. History conditions the way that society discusses its problems. In this thought-provoking book, the author encourages contemporary historians to move beyond the practice of Orientalist scholars: collecting data and describing facts. Instead, he promotes an alternative reading of history, one that departs from mainstream versions. Reflecting a strong understanding of classical Malay texts, the author also touches on broad themes such as psychological feudalism, orientalism, and the contestation of nationalist and colonialist perspectives on the community. Azhar’s book is a welcomed contribution and a must-read for those interested in alternative discourses in Malay Studies.