Local Politics and Indian Nationalism: Purulia : 1921-1947

In the book the author has presented a comprehensive history of local politics and major Indian political movements against the imperialist rule since 1921-1947, launched in a backward area like Purulia Sadar subdivision under the erstwhile Manbhum district of Bihar, which were carried out under the leadership of Gandhiji. Another attempt has been taken in the book through the brief comparative study with Midnapore district in a few cases. Besides, an intensive survey has been made in the book on how the various sections of the people of Purulia–higher and middle caste Hindus, Muslims, tribals, Mahatas and Harijans–enthusiastically devoted themselves to the movement for emancipation from the alien rule. The distinguishing feature of the book is that it depicts the role of the left-wing political outfits in the movement, contributed to strengthening the anti-imperialist struggle in Purulia. And, the birth of ‘leftism’ in Purulia is also delineated in the book. Another attempt has been showed in the book that on the remarkable achievement of the district Congress leaders, was to introduce, and experiment with the Panchayat system to establish Gram Swaraj in Purulia before independence and which was the first ever unofficial effort in Bihar in the pre-independence period. The readers will find this book highly interesting and informative which will also be a guideline to future research.