"The application of Historical Materialism provided a new method in understanding Indian social reality". Discuss the statement in context of A. R. Desai's understanding of Indian nationalism.

A.R. Desai applied the Marxist approach to studying Indian social reality in his book 'Social Background of Indian Nationalism'.

IDEA OF HISTORICAL MATERIALISM

→ A.R. Desai argues that with the British conquest of India, there emerged new social classes, leading to conflict between the rulers and the ruled which culminated in the Indian Freedom struggle. → He locates the cause of nationalism in the economic structure thus using Marxian concept of historical materialism in the Indian context.

STAGES OF NATIONALISM He divides Indian Nationalism into 5 phases:

PHASE I : 1800 - 1850 → peasant suppression, new social classes → zamindars, absentee landlords → modern education → rise of intelligentsia → reform movements

PHASE II : 1850 - 1888 → shift from feudal structure to capitalist structure → collapse of Indian handicrafts, artisans → Pauperization of agrarian proletariat

PHASE III : 1888 to 1905 → Rise of INC : Bourgeoisie sponsoring middle class awakening

PHASE IV : 1905 to 1920 → Swadeshi - Industries

PHASE V : 1920 - 1947 → Mahatma Gandhi → bringing masses into freedom struggle.