Contents: Vol. I: Andhra Pradesh/G. Parthasarathy: 1. The changing agrarian structure of Andhra Pradesh: a review. 2. Peasant leadership in Andhra Pradesh. 3. Emergence and growth and peasant organisation in Andhra Pradesh. 4. Zamindari and Imandari ryots movement in Andhra. 5. Telangana armed struggle (1946-51). 6. Tribal and Naxalite movements. 7. Post independence peasant movement in Andhra Pradesh. 8. Class differentiation in rural Andhra Pradesh. 9. Class conclusionsness and peasant activism. 10. Dynamics of rural change and outlook for peasant organisations and peasant movement. Conclusions. Index.
Vol. II: Maharashtra/Sulabha Brahme and Ashok Upadhyaya: Introduction. I. 1. Maharashtra: an overview: (i) Maharashtra state today. (ii) Maharashtra-through history. (iii) The people of Maharashtra. 2. Institutional and technological changes in agriculture (1947-1977): (i) Agricultural development in Maharashtra. (ii) Land reforms: implementation of tenancy legislation in Maharashtra. (iii) Cooperative movement in Maharashtra. 3. Resume of agrarian movements and organisations in Maharashtra: (i) The methodology. (ii) The early revolts. (iii) Era of constitutional protests. (iv) Kisan Sabha and Shetmazoor Sangh. Appendices. II. 4. Peasantization of tribals and the making of organised struggle in Thane: (i) Economic development in Thane district. (ii) Kisan Sabha in Thane district. (iii) Bhoomi Sena-Adivasi organisation in Palghar Taluka. 5. Formation of Kulak power and Bhil resistance in Dhule: (i) Agrarian structure in Dhule district in pre-1947 period. (ii) The Kulak is set free. (iii) Genesis of peasant movement. III. 6. From Nizam's Hukum to Savarna power-peasant and caste politics in Marathwada: (i) Land relations in Hyderabad state. (ii) The developments in Marathwada districts. (iii) Peasant reactions and organizations in Marathwada. 7. The ideological terrain and the making of peasant strata in Southern Maharashtra: (i) Southern Maharashtra: from feudal to colonial era. (ii) From non-Brahmin movement to nationalist movement. (iii) The political economy of Southern Maharashtra. 8. Perspectives on peasant movements and organizations. Index.
Vol. III: Uttar Pradesh/P.D. Shrimali: 1. Introduction: aim, scope and design of the study. 2. Uttar Pradesh-some features and trends in the agricultural economy. 3. The agrarian structure and agrarian change in the pre-independence period. 4. Agrarian legislation and changing agrarian relations in Uttar Pradesh-the post-independence period. 5. Agrarian tension, peasant movement and organizations. 6. The resume and some concluding observations. Bibliography. Index.
Vol: IV: West Bengal/Boudhayan Chattopadhyay: Introduction. I: 1. Background of peasant mobilisation in 20 century Bengal. 2. The rise of the substantial occupancy tenant and the process of differentiation in the agrarian structure. 3. The sharecropping system, its intensification and the rising tensions: thirties and early forties. 4. Mobilisation of the peasantry: birth of the A.I.K.S. and B.P.K.S. and their policies. 5. The formative years: forms of mobilisation and partial struggles. Appendices. II. 6. Agrarian relations of Sunderbans. 7. Kakdwip movement: its characteristics and lessons. Appendices: (i) a. Letter from Comrade Prakash Ray to Comrade G. Adhikari. b. Document prepared by Ashok Bose alias Bidyut alias Nikunja to analyse the success and failure of the Kakdwip movement. (ii) Summary of the interview by Maitreya Ghatak of Ratikanta Das. III: 8. Introduction. 9. Agrarian structure as perceived by agricultural labourers. 10. Agrarian structure as perceived by sharecroppers. 11. Agrarian structure as perceived by others. 12. Peasant organisations as perceived by local leaders. 13. Peasant organisations as perceived by peasants. 14. Aspects of peasant movement: (i) Sharecroppers movement. (ii) Agricultural labourers movement. (iii) Land movement. IV: 15. Agrarian structure in Naxalbari: historical background. 16. History and tradition of the local peasant organisation. Index.
"The agrarian question still remain central to India's development discourse. It was paramount in the pre-independence period as the structure and process of agrarian economy posed a serious bottleneck in the effort to bring about a sense of egalitarianism in the realm of socio-economic and political arenas. The earlier structure was fostered by the ruling classes for extracting exorbitant rent/revenue from the tillers of land by various anti-peasant measures. These measures subsequently led to movements by the peasantry in various parts of the country. The resulting tensions had far reaching implications which the Planning Commission rightly comprehended in its report in 1969. The Commission emphasised the need for delving into the causes of agrarian tensions which stirred many parts of the country.
"The studies in this volume explain the past scenario and focus on the changing agrarian structure in the wake of agrarian tension and movements. They further discuss the role of peasant organisations and bring out the policy implications of the evolving situation. The studies also amply demonstrate the need for ensuring a more egalitarian distribution of land and resources among the peasantry with a view to increase their participation in development process.
"These studies are pioneering works by eminent scholars in the field and have great historical value. By providing valuable insights into the agrarian scenario, they also sketch out a perspective for future research in the area." (jacket)
