6 June 1924: A Passage to India is published

In 1960, the manuscript of A Passage to India was donated to Rupert Hart-Davis by Forster and sold to raise money for the London Library, fetching the then record sum of £6,500 for a modern English manuscript. [1]

E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India explores the tensions of British colonial rule in India, focusing on cultural misunderstandings and human connections. The story follows Dr Aziz, an Indian Muslim, and his interactions with British visitors Adela Quested, Mrs Moore, and Cyril Fielding, culminating in a dramatic and ambiguous incident at the Marabar Caves. The novel examines themes of friendship, race, and the chasms of power and prejudice that divide people.

Forster was inspired by his visits to India, particularly his experiences with Indian friends, including Syed Ross Masood. These relationships shaped his empathetic portrayal of Indian characters and his nuanced critique of colonialism. His time in India provided firsthand insight into the complexities of cultural exchange and oppression under British rule.

What makes this book intriguing is its layering of human connections. Forster was deeply interested in the idea of whether true understanding between people of different races and cultures was possible. This tension plays out vividly in the novel, as moments of camaraderie are constantly undercut by cultural mistrust and institutional racism. The ambiguous ending, where neither reconciliation nor resolution is fully achieved, mirrors Forster’s belief that friendship, while deeply valuable, is often at the mercy of larger social forces.

While praised for its sharp critique of colonialism, the book also sparked debate about its portrayal of British and Indian cultures. Forster described the novel as being about more than politics, capturing the vastness of the Indian landscape and the human struggle to connect despite deep divides.