This book, compiled and edited with an introduction by Dr. Berch Berberoglu, contains the writings of Karl Marx, Frederick Engels, and V.I. Lenin, as well as the Marx-Engels Correspondences and the Comintern Documents on India.

This collection of important readings covering a long span in Indian history, including such topics as the pre-colonial mode of production, the nature of the state, the role of British imperialism, the struggle for national liberation, the development of capitalism in agriculture and industry, the unfolding caste and class struggles, the working class and trade union movement, the peasantry and the prospects for revolution and social transformation, brings together scattered classical Marxist writings on India in a single volume.

The book consists of four parts. Part I provides the writings of Marx and Engels on India, starting with Marx's articles in The New York Daily Tribune in the 1850's. These are followed by articles by Engels. Part II contains correspondence between Marx and Engels (and others) on the situation in India and on related issues. Part III includes Lenin's theses on the national and colonial questions and other writings, commentary and letters dealing directly with developments in India. Part IV provides excerpts from documents of the various congresses of the Communist International between 1923 and 1931.

What emerges from reading these pages is a sense of profound understanding of the unfolding events and a deep sympathy that Marx, Engels, Lenin and the leadership of the Comintern had towards India and the Indian masses in their struggle for national and class liberation. Through their partisan analyses and call for action, these giants of the world communist movement saw the struggle of Indian peasants and workers as part of the worldwide struggle against all forms of exploitation and oppression and threw in their lot with the laboring masses in their fight to overcome national, caste, and class bondage.

To read the "Introduction" to this book, click here [pdf file]

Publication date: 1986

Sarup & Sons Publishers

Meerut, India

To order a copy of this book, please contact the editor:

Berch Berberoglu, Sociology Dept., University of Nevada, Reno,

Reno, Nevada 89557 USA