Communist and Socialist Movements in India

The communist and socialist movements in India emerged in the early 20th century as radical alternatives to the moderate and Gandhian approaches of the Congress. Inspired by the 1917 Russian Revolution and global socialist currents, young revolutionaries like M.N. Roy and S.A. Dange laid the foundations of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1920.

Despite severe repression through conspiracy cases and bans, the CPI and socialist leaders worked among workers and peasants, introducing ideas of class struggle, land reforms, and economic justice into the national movement. Their efforts ensured that socialist ideology became a vital force shaping India’s freedom struggle ....