Struggle for Hegemony in India describes the role of the Communist Party of India during the freedom struggle (1920-47) and constructs the experience of its interaction with others as well as with social and political reality. By combining the perspectives of "history from below" with "history from above," this study sharpens the reader's understanding of historical events and processes. Moreover, the author places macro-structures such as the colonial state, political parties, trade unions, and mobilizations of workers and peasants in a context of interaction and interdependence. Students of history, sociology, and political science will find this important book essential reading. "Shashi Joshi displays considerable grasp of detail without losing sight of the broad contours of her story, which is related with fluent authority. She is clearly well-grounded in Marxist literature and has placed her thesis of Communist failure within the matrix of Marxist concepts." --Asian Affairs