Indian Political Thought

In this volume an attempts has been made to discuss and analyse the principal concepts and ideas of twenty-four Political Thinkers and Social Reformers, who significantly influenced the ethos of political life and the political process in India. It traces the evolution of political thought from the days of Manu, the law-giver, Kautilya, the statesman-author of Arthasastra and Sukracharya, the author of Sukranitisara to those of Jaya Prakash narayan, the exponent of democratic socialism and the theory of ‘Totao Revolution’. It highlights the institutions and political traditions which influenced the fundamental ethos of political life in the country and laid the foundations of our modern parliamentary system of government. Among the twenty-four thinkers selectively included in this volume, are cultural leaders like Swamin Dayananda and Swami Vivekananda, who represent the Indian response to the nationalistic, utilitarian and liberal challenge of the West. The Moderate and Extemist thinkers discussed in detail are Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and Aurobindo Ghosh, Gandhiji’s thoughts provided a contrast to the thoughts of both the Moderates and the Extremists. His concepts of non-violence and Satyagraha were indigenous and unique in style and operation. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru and subhas Chandra Bose, the three most dynamic leaders, who had both fundamental similarities and dissimilarities, are examined and analysed in the context of their contributions to the Indian political process. The socio-political concept of Dr. B.R. ambedkar, the reformist-thinker, have been analysed. While M.N. Roy represents the leftist ideology of communism and rational-humanism, V.D. Savarkar’s ideas stand for spiritual nationalism and Hindu revivalism. In the context of the national movement and the Oriya movement the significant contribution of Madhusudan Das, Gopabandhu Das and K.C. Gajapati have been analysed.