SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Chapter I discusses Muslim politics in Bengal during the period under review, analysing the social structure of the Muslim community and the background of the articulate segment of that community. The problems of leadership, of the formation of political groups and of their strategies in legislative politics are reviewed, and the responses elicited by the prospect of constitutional advance. Chapter II deals with Hindu politics in the same years, in both social and strictly political aspects. The nature of the two major groups, at leader and follower levels, and of their ties with fringe groups is discussed, and the objects for which they fought. The relationship of provincial with national and of provincial with Calcutta Corporation politics is discussed, and the general strategies of the provincial Congress. Chapter III concentrates on student politics-the process of political orientation, and the sociological and psychological factors involved therein. Student organisation and action-their strengths and weaknesses are considered, and the relationship between activist students and elder politicians and party groupings. Chapter IV deals with the politics of violence---the formation and organization of terrorist parties, their aims and objectives, the response they elicited from government and from constitutional parties, and the effectiveness of terrorism as a political instrument.