Despite the potential plenty, rich mineral deposits, fertile alluvial soil and plentiful ground water, and unrivalled potential for fast economic growth, Bihar is a typical example of backward political economy. The transformation of caste from a sociological category to a form of political expression constitutes a significant development in Bihar. A semi-feudal society like Bihar gives rise to ruthless oppression, violent revolts and resistance. Bihar has a long history of violence. But the inter-class violence that goes on unabated in rural Bihar has become an issue that attained national impatience. The brutal and heinous massacre of the poor people in Bihar villages has shocked the conscience of the nation. The exploited labouring class has begun to organise themselves against the landed gentry. Equipped with new class consciousness the weaker sections organised by the radical leftist groups began to strike back. The land owning class has organised private armies called "Senas" on caste lines to protect their class interests and terrorise the agitating poor. The conflict between the antagonistic classes led to several violent clashes in which several people on both sides lost their lives. This economic division also has a caste dimension and accounts for the large-scale killings that seems to take place routinely. In the semi-feudal, caste-ridden agrarian context, the emergence of the radical leftist movements and the caste based landlord senas in Bihar calls for an indepth study and understanding. It is crucial that we examine the conflict between the two sections of the rural society in the background of the rural agrarian political economy. The book will be an interesting study for the political scientists, economists, sociologists, historians and general readers as well.
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