This accessible introduction explores the historical dimensions and theoretical concepts associated with colonial and post-colonial studies. Ania Loomba examines the key features of the ideologies and history of colonialism, the relationship of colonial discourse to literature, challenges to colonialism, and recent developments in post-colonial theories and histories in the writings of contemporary theorists, including Edward Said, Abdul JanMohamed, Homi Bhabha, and Gayatri Spivak. Loomba also looks at how sexuality is insinuated in the texts of colonialism, and how contemporary feminist ideas and concepts intersect with those of post-colonialist thought.