The third bubonic plague pandemic began in Yunnan, China, in 1855 and spread globally, leading to over twelve million deaths, primarily in India. This pandemic, which reached port cities via steamship, highlighted the interconnectedness of global trade and the rapid spread of infectious diseases. The crisis prompted advancements in public health and sanitation practices, shaping responses to future pandemics.

The third bubonic plague pandemic beginning in 1855 coincided with the peak of colonial literature, prompting responses from writers like Kipling and Tagore. The mass death experienced during this period became a central metaphor in anti-colonial verse, reflecting on mortality and resistance.