Marxism has played a crucial role - directly and indirectly - in the development of social analysis in India. This collection of essays addresses the contemporary significance of Marxism in the study of economy and society. The problems of inequality, class and conflict in India are discussed with special reference to its agrarian social structure. Marxism has often been identified with what is described as the 'class approach' to society. While recognizing the great
historical and contemporary relevance of class, the essays in the substantive part of the book also deal with other sources of inequality and conflict, and their relationship with class. The analysis brings out the diverse and changing meanings of class even within the Marxist tradition. It also
presents accounts of inequality and conflict at various levels of society: village, district and region. It provides an overview of the changes that have taken place in the concept of class and in approaches to its study in response to changes in society between the time of Marx and our time.