🌍 Background: The War and India’s Dilemma The Second World War began on 1st September 1939 when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Immediately, Britain and France, bound by their treaty obligations, declared war on Germany on 3rd September. Now, here’s the crucial part for India:Without even a formal consultation, the British Government of India declared India…
Introduction: India’s Freedom Struggle and the Shadow of World War II History often moves in unexpected rhythms — sometimes slowly, through reforms and resolutions; sometimes violently, through wars that reshape the destiny of nations. The Second World War was one such turning point — not just for Europe, where the battle began, but also for…
This part is historically very important because it reveals the split within the Indian Left — especially between national priorities and international communist commitments.Let’s now understand this step by step, in the clear, narrative style we’ve been maintaining. 🌏 The Outbreak of the Second World War (September 1939) When World War II began in September…
This section marks a decisive turning point in the evolution of the Left in India.Till now, we have seen the story of Communism — with its international linkages, ups and downs, and its uneasy relationship with the Congress.Now, a new force arises from within the Congress itself — the Congress Socialist Party (CSP) — a…
This section takes us one step further from what we discussed earlier.After socialist ideas started influencing Indian leaders like Nehru and Bose, now we see how the Leftist movement — particularly the Communist current within it — actually began to take shape as an organized political force in India. Let’s understand this, so you can…
🌹 Understanding Socialism: The Global Idea To begin with, we must first understand what socialism means in its essence. Socialism is an economic and social philosophy that aims to end the exploitation of the majority by a small minority.In simpler terms — throughout history, a few people (like landlords, industrialists, or capitalists) have controlled wealth,…
To trace where these terms came from, we need to travel back to France in the late 18th century, during the French Revolution.At that time, France was in the middle of an extraordinary political upheaval — old institutions like the monarchy and nobility were being questioned, and new ideas of equality, liberty, and fraternity were…
Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru — both belonged to India’s most idealistic generation, a generation educated under British rule, yet utterly disillusioned with its hypocrisy. They were not rivals in ambition, but comrades in faith — both deeply committed to the same ultimate goal: The liberation of India through modern, scientific, and just principles….
🏛️ Lucknow Session (April 1936) This was the 49th Session of the Indian National Congress, held at Lucknow under the presidentship of Jawaharlal Nehru — and it marks the moment when socialism formally entered Congress vocabulary. 🌹 Nehru’s Presidential Address: A Call for Socialism Nehru’s speech electrified the delegates and revealed the new ideological confidence…
Excellent — now we enter a deeply revealing and intellectually rich phase of India’s national movement:the late 1930s, when two parallel processes unfolded —on one hand, the Congress evolved a broad internationalist worldview, aligning itself with global anti-imperialist and democratic forces;and on the other hand, communalism began to grow dangerously, fragmenting the unity of the…
