Local politics in Bengal, Midnapur district, 1907-1934
This thesis studies the development and social character of Indian nationalism in the Midnapur district of Bengal. It begins by showing the Government of Bengal in 1907 in a deepening political crisis. The structural imbalances caused by the policy of active intervention in the localities could not be offset by the 'paternalistic' and personalised district administration. In Midnapur, the situation was compounded by the inability of government to secure its traditional political base based on zemindars. Real power in the countryside lay in the hands of petty landlords and intermediaries who consolidated their hold in the economic environment of growing commercialisation in agriculture. This was reinforced by a caste movement of the Mahishyas which injected the district with its own version of 'peasant-pride'. The thesis also argues that till 1921, the nationalist movement failed to involve the rural activists. Urban and rural political activity developed autonomously and without mutual reference. The radical change in nationalist politics in 1921 enabled some politicians to make the connection between these two currents. During the Non Co-operation movement, Midnapur witnessed a successful movement against
Gupta, Swapan Das
History
Local politics in Bengal, Midnapur district, 1907-1934. This thesis studies the development and social character of Indian nationalism in the Midnapur district of Bengal. It begins by showing the Government of Bengal in 1907 in a deepening political crisis. The structural imbalances caused by the policy of active intervention in the localities could not be offset by the 'paternalistic' and personalised district administration. In Midnapur, the situation was compounded by the inability of government to secure its traditional political base based on zemindars. Real power in the countryside lay in the hands of petty landlords and intermediaries who consolidated their hold in the economic environment of growing commercialisation in agriculture. This was reinforced by a caste movement of the Mahishyas which injected the district with its own version of 'peasant-pride'. The thesis also argues that till 1921, the nationalist movement failed to involve the rural activists. Urban and rural political activity developed autonomously and without mutual reference. The radical change in nationalist politics in 1921 enabled some politicians to make the connection between these two currents. During the Non Co-operation movement, Midnapur witnessed a successful movement against
local_politics bengal district study development social character indian nationalism district bengal begin show government bengal deepen political_crisis structural imbalance cause policy active intervention locality could offset paternalistic district administration situation compound inability government secure traditional political base base real power countryside lay hand petty landlord intermediary consolidate hold economic environment grow commercialisation agriculture reinforce caste movement district version peasant pride also_argue till nationalist_movement fail involve rural activist urban_rural political_activity develop autonomously without mutual reference radical_change nationalist politics enable politician make connection current non operation movement witness successful movement