Indian Communist and anti-colonial movement

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As we approach international anti-imperialism week and Black history month the Marx Memorial Library reflects upon the brutal colonial legacy of the British empire with a new online exhibition. These select documents tell the story of the heroic struggles by workers and peasants for India’s freedom from colonialism in the early twentieth century - in addition to accompanying international solidarity campaigns - culminating in independence in 1947. 


These are just the tip of the iceberg; in the coming weeks and months we hope to bring to light many more documents in our Indian Collection, and to provide additional context with articles and commentary. 


We hope that these resources will enlighten and inform all those who are demanding the teaching of British colonial history in schools. Additionally we hope that a re-examination of this history will enable policy makers to draw proper lessons to prevent the repeat of the decisions that led to the stripping of continents, the creation of unmeasurable poverty and famine, and left a legacy of partition.

 

Image 1
'An Epic Struggle, A diary of the Bombay Mahagal Strike, 1940, A Participant, Part 1'
Stapled pamphlet, 20 pages (doubled sided), incomplete
Published by The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Section of the Communist International), June 1940

Image 2
'Strike, A Diary, Lessons of a Strike, Part 2'
Stapled pamphlet, 26 pages (doubled sided)
Published by The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Section of the Communist International), 1940

Image 3
'Bharat, Inquilab, Zindabad!'
The Bharat, A Journal of Indian Students Abroad, No.19
Stapled pamphlet, 60 pages (double sided)
Published by Dr. C.B Vakil, June 1931

Image 4
'Indian Peasants in Revolt'
Stapled pamphlet, 22 pages (doubled sided)
Published by Indian Front, Year (?)

Images 5-6
'Send food now and release Indian leaders and so end their calamity'
Loose flyer, 1 page (double sided)
Published by Indian Freedom Campaign

Image 7
'India Pictorial (An India League Pamphlet) 1945'
Folded non-stapled pamphlet, 2 pages (double sided)
Published by The India League, 1945

Image 8
'An Open Letter to Fighters for Freedom' 
Folded non-stapled pamphlet, 2 pages (double sided)
Published by Dilip Kumar Bose on behalf of The Indian Communists in Great Britain

Image 9
'Party Organiser No.7'
Stapled newsletter, 3 pages (double sided)
Published by The Central Committee of The Communist party of India (Section of the Communist International), 3rd February 1942