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Flora Annie Webster Steel (1847-1929) was an English writer known for her richly detailed historical novels and her deep engagement with Indian culture. As the wife of a colonial administrator during the British Raj, Steel's unique position allowed her to immerse herself in the everyday lives of Indian people, an experience that became a cornerstone of her literary work. Steel penned a variety of texts but is best remembered for her insightful portrayals of Indian society. 'The Mercy of the Lord,' while less well-known than her seminal work, 'On the Face of the Waters' (1896), showcasing the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny, or her popular manual, 'The Complete Indian Housekeeper and Cook' (1888), which offered domestic advice to British women in India, reflects her narrative aptitude and cultural understanding. Her literary style often wove social commentary with vivid storytelling, earning her the moniker of the female Rudyard Kipling. Despite sometimes being critiqued for her colonial perspectives, Steel's writing remains significant for its descriptive power and contribution to Anglo-Indian literature, providing readers with an intricate perspective of colonial India's social fabric. Her body of work affords valuable insight into the cross-cultural dynamics of her time, marking her as a critical figure in historical and literary circles.
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