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 society, polity and economy the problems of inequality, class, and conflict in india are discussed with reference to its agrarian social structure the analysis brings out the divers and changing meanings of class within the marxist tradition itself it also provides an overview of the changes that have taken place in the concept of and approaches to the study of class since the time of marx this volume will interest students and scholars of sociology, political science, and history about the author: about the author: andre beteille, fba, is professor emeritus of sociology at the university of delhi, and national research professor table of contents preface introduction marxism and modern sociology marxism, pluralism, and orthodoxy is there a marxist anthropology? the study of agrarian systems: an anthropological approach the social framework of agriculture economic organization and social class in a tanjore village agrarian relations in tanjore district class structure in an agrarian society: the case of the jotedars the indian village: continuity and change wealth, property, and social class the description and analysis of classes appendix marxism: fantasy of the century? index