National independence, and the preceding political struggles, helped create the space for literary creation in many post-colonial countries. Much of modern Indian or Chinese literature is inconceivable without the political movement for freedom from foreign rule.

Pankaj Mishra’s quote explores the idea that national independence in post-colonial countries, along with the political struggles for that independence, created a fertile ground for literary creation. Mishra argues that the struggles for freedom were not just political movements but also powerful catalysts for the growth of literature. The upheaval and transformation associated with gaining independence allowed writers in countries like India and China to express new identities, challenges, and aspirations through their work.

Mishra highlights that much of the modern Indian and Chinese literature we recognize today is deeply tied to the political movements for freedom from foreign rule. In these nations, the fight against colonial powers provided the context and the urgency for the creation of literature that was not only a form of artistic expression but also a medium to critique social and political conditions. Literature became a tool for both reflection and resistance during times of great political change.

The quote also suggests that literary movements in these post-colonial countries are inseparable from the broader national struggles for sovereignty. The political battles for freedom were the backdrop against which writers articulated their hopes, disillusionments, and cultural identities. Without the independence movements, Mishra implies, these literary traditions might not have emerged in the same way or with such urgency.

Overall, Mishra's statement reflects on how the intersection of politics and literature in post-colonial countries allowed writers to engage with and reflect on the national identity and the profound societal changes that occurred in the wake of colonial rule.