Karl Marx on India:

A Postcolonial Perspective

Abstract

This paper focuses on some of the writings of Karl Marx on India in English to
indicate something of the extent of his astonishing knowledge of the subcontinent’s
political and socioeconomic history, and to highlight the incisiveness of his critique
of British rule in India. In the process, it attempts to show Marx’s (and Friedrich
Engels’) sensitivity as well as understanding of the plight of Indians under the
East India Company’s rule, and his quite overt and powerful denunciation of
British excesses during the Sepoy Mutiny. In addition, the paper underscores the
importance of these writings for us in South Asia, and stresses their continuing
relevance in our time. It also emphasizes Marx’s mastery of details of Indian history,
land laws, and topography. Moreover, it accentuates the rhetorical persuasiveness
with which he makes his case against British rule in India and underscores his
command over English prose. The paper ends by suggesting that all postcolonial
scholars dealing with the subcontinent as well as students of Marxism can benefit
by studying Marx’s pioneering role in critiquing British colonial rule in India.