Why is The Jungle Book sometimes interpreted as an allegory about British colonialism in India?

Modern scholarship often interprets The Jungle Book as an allegory for British colonialism in India due to the author's well-documented imperialist views.1

Rudyard Kipling held a firm conviction that European culture was necessary to "civilize" those he perceived as heathen natives, a perspective that permeates the themes of his work. Within the stories, the "Jungle Law" and the rigid social hierarchies among the animals are frequently viewed as reflections of the colonial administration's desire to impose order and structure upon a land they considered untamed or lawless.12

While the stories explore universal themes such as loyalty, courage, and the rule of law, critics argue that the narrative structure mirrors the power dynamics of the British Raj, where the "civilizing" influence of the protagonist and his mentors serves as a metaphor for the colonial presence in India. Consequently, Kipling's reputation has faced significant scrutiny in the modern era as readers and scholars re-examine these underlying ideological undertones.1