This paper discusses the influence of cultural and racial conflicts, as portrayed in the novels of Manohar Malgonkar, with special reference to Combat of Shadows. The spread of western style industrial societies across the globe has suppressed many unique cultural features of the people of different countries. This inevitably means that cultural differences are responsible for a great deal of conflict, confusion and hostility, when people of different countries come into contact with one another. The unique racial and cultural groups of one country face difficulties in tracing their roots and identity, when they try to settle in not so friendly environment of another country. Hence, this paper explores the theme of East-West conflict in Combat of Shadows. It is through characters—both Indian and Western—that he portrays different aspects of the conflict. He had also taken care to show that, when it comes to the real values of life, East and West not only reconcile and resolve themselves, but something like a new culture incorporating laudable qualities of both the cultures seems to emerge.

Often we talk of the Western impact on India and picture the conflict between Western and Indian culture. At the same time, this Western impact on India is bound to be misleading. English education was a new force injected into Indian life, but immediate effects were seen only on the surface. This is because the spread of Western style industrial societies across the globe has suppressed many unique cultural features of people of different countries. Even in the 20^th century, cultural factors often determined the way practical, social and personal problems were solved. This inevitably means that cultural differences are responsible for a great deal of conflict, confusion and hostility, when people of different countries come into contact with one another. This debilitating confrontation of values and beliefs can be avoided if man realizes that he is not merely what he is born with, but also what he becomes. The capacity of man to adjust and compromise solves many cultural impasses. In this context, the place of Eurasians in India as well as that of Anglicized or Americanized Indians is one of the major issues, for these unique racial and cultural groups are trying to find their roots and identity in a not too friendly environment.

The infiltration of Western culture, the study of Western culture, the study of English Literature, the adoption of Western scientific techniques—all gave a jolt to India's traditional life, and generated a good number of undesirable developments. Nevertheless, they served us nobly by shocking us into a new awareness, a sense of urgency, a flair for practicality, and an alertness in thought and action. The re-awakened Indian spirit went forth to meet the violent challenge of the values of modern science and civilization of the West. "Under English rule in India", observes Srinivasa (1973), "the impact of two civilizations may have produced unrest. But it has also sustained and stimulated life." It is thus, an extraordinary story of endurance, assimilation and integral transformation.

Cultures and Races, Combat of Shadows, Manohar Malgonkar, Western culture, English Literature, Undesirable developments, Integral transformations, Cultural diversities, Cultural and Racial conflicts, Modern science, Modern Civilization, Cultural impasses, Western scientific techniques, Social norms, Psychological changes, Class-consciousness sycophancy.