Agrarian Transformation

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Mobilization of peasants in Bihar: a historical perspective. 3. Agrarian structure and politics in Bihar. 4. Mobilization of rural poor in Central Bihar by the CPI (ML) liberation. 5. Emergence of the Indian people's front in Central Bihar. 6. Mobilization of rural poor in Central Bihar by other organizations. 7. Conclusion. Questionnaires. Bibliography. Index.

"The growing determination to "raise their heads and look at the sun", on the part of the rural poor in Bihar, has moved them across a wide socio-economic spectrum, to seek recourse in quickened activism, and in the organizations and parties which support and translate that activism most effectively in the wider world of public policy. Organizations of the rural poor, emergence of a new political party of the poor, their participation in elections, and their activism and mobilization efforts reflect awareness and consciousness of the peasants--who they are, how their social and economic interests might be achieved, and by what means.

In India, and more so in Bihar, a vital and dynamic peasant activism is happening at many levels, including among the rural poor. The long dominance of an upper caste land-controlling elite is being systematically challenged by an emergent and powerful class of middle caste peasant/farmer land controllers, while on the social and economic margin of the system, poor peasants, sharecroppers and landless agricultural labourers are challenging to the exploitation of their people and their rights, however minimal these might be.

This stimulating book explores the political responses of the peasants, including agricultural labourers, living on the social and economic periphery." (jacket)

[Devendra K. Singh is currently teaching at the Department of Political Science, Goa University, Panaji.]