Critically discuss Marxist approach to the analysis of Indian Nationalism.

Marxist approach implies that production is first activity of human. Britishers were drawn to India by its wealth and the whole process of colonialism itself was due to economic pursuit. Indians first revolted in 1857. A.R. Desai calls it as conflict between relations of production and forces of production. In 1857, Indian relations of production were feudalistic, but Britishers sought to introduce capitalist forces. Thus, conflict emerged between the peasants and Britishers. It was common men's war.

Then, D. Mukherjee explains that Indian nationalism was not a mass movement as is being made out. He blames elites like Gandhi, Nehru and others for having role in transfer from external colonialism to internal colonialism. Because he believed that though India attained freedom but did not achieve economic freedom, which is reason of continuing mass exploitation. Thus, only masters have changed, not the rule.

A.R Desai brings home the point that the elites had no role in getting freedom and they only prolonged British presence. Rather freedom was forced by drudgeries of second World war, Bengal famine etc. As mode of production is infrastructure so once it was damaged, Britishers were ousted.

Marxist approach also says that Indian labour participation in freedom movement was not as it should have been. There were no attempts to include them.

Criticism MN Srinivas criticizes Marxist approach to Indian Nationalism as being determinist and one-sided.

Andre Beteille calls this approach as over simplified and overlooking role of national leaders in educating people and making them ready for struggle.

Also Marxist approach is criticized for overlooking effects of other forces on process of nationalism. It does not talk about that earlier rulers were in collusion with Britishers.

As some say that A.R. Desai is trying unnecessarily to introduce class in caste India. It is said that at time of national struggle, class concept was not evolved in India and their were many groups, not having common consciousness.