Indian romances are in fact an uneasy amalgam of romance and propaganda, the traditional “love is all” of romance complicated by the political and social factors the Indian setting introduces. They have the traditional trappings of romantic novels: beautiful heroines, noble heroes, evil villains, and luxury present in abundance. But grafted on to the general romantic structure are messages that mute or alter significantly the romantic character of the novel. Authors of Indian Romances, regardless of when they wrote, preach the simple pieties of popular Victorianism: the blessings of Empire, patriotism, honor, courage, industry and self-sacrifice. And a pervasive racism. (3)