Formation of Communist Party of India (1920) - Modern India History Notes
After the second Commintern Congress, M.N. Roy, Abani Mukherji, and others founded the Communist Party of India (CPI). It was founded in 1920 in Tashkent (now the capital of Uzbekistan). M.N. Roy was the first elected Commintern leader. Workers' and peasants' parties sprouted up throughout the country, spreading Marxist and communist ideas. In India in the late 1920s and 1930s, a major left-wing group emerged, contributing to the radicalization of the national movement. Political independence had shifted toward a more social and economic focus. In this article, we will discuss the Formation of Communist Party of India (1920) which will be useful for UPSC exam preparation.
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Communist Party of India - Features
- Many communists were imprisoned in the Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case in 1924, including S.A. Dange, Muzaffar Ahmed, Shaukat Usmani, and Nalini Gupta.
- The CPI was formally founded in 1925 at the Indian Communist Conference in Kanpur.
- The government crackdown on communists resulted in the arrest and trial of 31 leading communists, trade unionists, and left-wing leaders in 1929; they were tried in Meerut in the famous Meerut conspiracy case.
- Workers' and peasants' parties sprouted up across the country, spreading Marxist and communist ideas.
- All of these communist groups and workers' and peasants' parties remained a part of the national movement and collaborated with the Congress.
Communist Party of India - Goals
- The Communist Party of India declared that revolution would be used to build socialism in India.
- In 1934, the Communist International recognised the party as the Indian section. The party's stance shifted toward radicalism.
- The CPI had abandoned nonviolent modes of political action in favour of armed resistance to British imperialism under its new strategic direction.
- The Communist Party demanded the abolition of zamindari, nationalisation of banks, tea gardens, and shipping industries, as well as a slew of other radical projects.
- In keeping with the new policy position, it not only distanced itself from the Civil Disobedience Movement, but also criticised the Gandhi-Irwin Pact as a betrayal of the Indian people.
Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case (1924)
- The Kanpur Bolshevik conspiracy case was a contentious court case that began in British India in 1924.
- Following Peshawar in 1922, the British government launched two more conspiracy cases, one in Kanpur (1924) and one in Meerut (1929).
- The Kanpur Conspiracy Case was also brought against newcomer communists, whom the British government despised.
- The government apprehended and prosecuted some newly converted communists named M N Roy, Muzaffar Ahamed, S A Dange, Shukat Usmani, Nalini Gupta, Singaravelu Chettiar, and Ghulam Hussain for conspiring against the government.
- However, this case brought the communists to public attention.
- The newspapers exhaustively covered the subject, and for the first time, the people of India were able to learn about the communist doctrine in depth.
- As a result, this case was responsible for the introduction of Communism to the Indian public.
- In this case, M N Roy was charged in absentia, so he was not arrested. Ghulam Hussain was pardoned after becoming a British informant. All of the others were arrested and sentenced to four years in prison.
Indian Communist Conference (1925)
- The Indian Communist Conference was held in Kanpur in 1925 and M.N. Roy founded the Communist Party of India (CPI) in December 1925.
- The Kanpur Communist Conference was a meeting of India's early communist movement held in Kanpur from December 26 to 28, 1925.
- The Communist Party of India's leadership declared the Kanpur conference to be the party's founding event in 1959.
- The founding of the Communist Party of India in 1925 was a historic result of the dialectical combination of national and class struggles, which had been deeply crystallised by the Russian revolution and international events.
- It was warmly received by all progressive elements of the national movement. The formation of the CPI in Kanpur in 1925 was a natural culmination of these processes.
- The conference was held near Congress pandal, symbolizing close cooperation with the freedom movement.
- Kanpur conference established a regular organisation, elected a central executive committee and office bearers, and adopted a constitution, membership form, and red flag. CPI evolved over time to take on the form it now has.
- CPI dialectically combined national and class tasks. M. Singaravelu was elected chairman of the Kanpur conference, and S. V. Ghate and J. P. Bagerhatta were elected CPI general secretaries.
- From 1927 on, Ghate was the sole general secretary.
Meerut Conspiracy Case
- The Meerut Conspiracy Case was a contentious court case that began in the British Raj in March 1929 and was decided in 1933.
- The British government was clearly concerned about the Communist International's growing power.
- It was also thoroughly convinced that the Communist Party of India (CPI) was spreading communist and socialist ideas among the workers.
- Its ultimate goal, according to the government, was to achieve "complete paralysis and overthrow of existing governments in every country (including India) by means of a general strike and armed uprising."
- The government's immediate response was to file yet another conspiracy case, the Meerut Conspiracy Case.
- Several trade unionists, including three Englishmen, were arrested for organising an Indian railway strike.
- A lawsuit against the British government resulted in the conviction of 27 leftist trade union leaders.
- The trial drew immediate attention in England, where it inspired the 1932 play ‘Meerut’ by a Manchester street theatre group, the Red Megaphones, which highlighted the negative effects of colonisation and industrialization.
*For detailed notes on this topic check this link Meerut Conspiracy Case
Conclusion
The CPI had a significant influence on Indian society and politics. One of its greatest achievements was the organisation of workers and peasants, which was discussed elsewhere. It had a significant impact on Congress. The CPI was able to exert organisational sway over roughly one-third of the votes cast in the All-India Congress Committee on critical issues.
FAQs
Q1: When was the Communist Party of India (CPI) formed?
Answer: The Communist Party of India (CPI) was formally established in 1920 in Tashkent, in present-day Uzbekistan.
Q2: What were the main ideologies of the Communist Party of India?
Answer: The CPI was founded on the principles of Marxism-Leninism, focusing on the abolition of capitalism, establishment of socialism, and workers' rights.
Q3: Who were some of the key figures involved in the formation of the Communist Party of India?
Answer: Prominent leaders involved in the formation of CPI include M.N. Roy, Abani Mukherjee, Evelyn Trent Roy, and others who had ties with international communist movements.
Q4: What was the role of M.N. Roy in the formation of CPI?
Answer: M.N. Roy was a key figure in the founding of the CPI. He was an intellectual who played an active role in spreading Marxist ideas in India and was instrumental in connecting the Indian communist movement to the Communist International (Comintern).
Q5: How did the British colonial government react to the formation of CPI?
Answer: The British colonial government was highly suspicious of communist activities and viewed the CPI as a threat to their rule. The government took several measures, including arrests and repression, to curb the growing influence of the party.
MCQs
- Where was the Communist Party of India (CPI) founded?
a) Moscow
b) Tashkent
c) Calcutta
d) London
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
The Communist Party of India was founded in Tashkent (now in Uzbekistan) in 1920 by a group of Indian revolutionaries and Marxist thinkers.
- Who among the following was a key figure in the founding of the Communist Party of India?
a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
b) M.N. Roy
c) Jawaharlal Nehru
d) B.R. Ambedkar
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
M.N. Roy was instrumental in the founding of the Communist Party of India and was closely associated with the international communist movement.
- What was the primary ideology of the Communist Party of India?
a) Gandhian non-violence
b) Capitalism
c) Marxism-Leninism
d) Liberal democracy
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
The Communist Party of India was founded on the principles of Marxism-Leninism, advocating for the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of socialism.
- In which year was the Communist Party of India founded?
a) 1919
b) 1920
c) 1935
d) 1947
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
The Communist Party of India was formed in 1920, marking the beginning of the communist movement in India.
- What was the primary aim of the Communist Party of India at the time of its formation?
a) Achieving independence from British rule
b) Abolishing the caste system
c) Establishing a socialist state
d) Expanding Indian trade globally
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
The main aim of the CPI was to establish a socialist state in India, following the principles of Marxism-Leninism and abolishing capitalism.
GS Mains Questions and Model Answers
Q1. Discuss the factors that led to the formation of the Communist Party of India in 1920.
Answer: The formation of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1920 was influenced by several factors. The Russian October Revolution of 1917 inspired many Indian intellectuals and revolutionaries, including M.N. Roy, to embrace Marxist ideologies. The global spread of communist ideas through organizations like the Comintern played a significant role in shaping the early Indian communist movement. Additionally, dissatisfaction with British colonial rule, coupled with the failure of the Indian National Congress to address the growing concerns of the working class, peasants, and laborers, created fertile ground for communist ideas. The CPI aimed to overthrow the capitalist system and establish a socialist state that represented the working class and peasantry. The early communists were also deeply influenced by the anti-imperialist movements of the time, which further spurred their opposition to British rule.
Q2. Analyze the role of M.N. Roy in the early communist movement in India.
Answer: M.N. Roy was one of the founding members of the Communist Party of India and a key figure in the early communist movement. Roy’s contributions to Indian communism began with his intellectual engagement with Marxist ideas, which he encountered during his travels in Europe and Russia. He became a prominent leader in the Communist International (Comintern) and played a crucial role in spreading Marxist thought in India. Roy believed in aligning the Indian independence struggle with the broader global socialist movement and was instrumental in the formation of the CPI in Tashkent in 1920. His efforts in building connections between the Indian communist movement and international organizations like the Comintern were significant in establishing the ideological foundation for Indian communism. Despite his later disagreements with Soviet policies, Roy’s early role in the propagation of Marxist-Leninist ideologies and his advocacy for the rights of the working class remain vital aspects of the early history of the CPI.
Q3. Evaluate the significance of the formation of the Communist Party of India in the broader context of the Indian freedom struggle.
Answer: The formation of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1920 added a new dimension to the Indian freedom struggle by introducing a class-based ideology into the movement for independence. While the Indian National Congress was focused on constitutional reforms and negotiations with the British, the CPI sought a more radical approach by advocating for the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a socialist state. The CPI’s focus on the working class and peasants brought attention to the socio-economic inequalities that were not fully addressed by the mainstream nationalist movement. The early communists viewed the freedom struggle not just as a fight against colonialism but also as a fight against imperialism and capitalism. The CPI played a key role in organizing workers’ strikes and peasant movements, contributing to the growing awareness of class struggles in India. Despite facing repression from the British authorities, the formation of the CPI marked the beginning of a leftist political tradition in India, which continued to influence Indian politics in the post-independence period.
Previous Year Questions on Communist Party of India
1. UPSC CSE Mains 2016
Question. How did the formation of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1920 influence the Indian freedom struggle?
Answer: The formation of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1920 introduced a new ideological framework to the Indian freedom struggle, emphasizing the importance of class struggle and the need to address the socio-economic inequalities perpetuated by capitalism and colonialism. The CPI's influence extended beyond the fight for independence, as it sought to align the Indian nationalist movement with the broader global struggle against imperialism. The CPI played a significant role in organizing labor strikes, peasant movements, and protests against British rule, focusing on the grievances of the working class and rural poor. The party’s leaders, like M.N. Roy, believed that the Indian freedom movement needed to be part of a global socialist revolution. Despite facing harsh repression from the British colonial government, which viewed communist activities with suspicion, the CPI’s emphasis on anti-capitalism and anti-imperialism contributed to the broader goals of the independence struggle. The party's radical approach to achieving independence and its emphasis on workers' rights and peasant mobilization set it apart from the more moderate demands of the Indian National Congress.
2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018
Question. Discuss the role of international influences in the formation and early development of the Communist Party of India (CPI).
Answer: The formation and early development of the Communist Party of India (CPI) were heavily influenced by international events and the spread of communist ideologies across the world. One of the most significant international influences was the Russian Revolution of 1917, which inspired many Indian revolutionaries, including M.N. Roy and Abani Mukherjee, to adopt Marxist ideologies. The involvement of the Comintern (Communist International), an organization that aimed to unite communist movements worldwide, also played a crucial role in shaping the Indian communist movement. M.N. Roy’s close association with the Comintern allowed the Indian communist movement to receive support, guidance, and strategic direction from the global communist network. The establishment of the CPI in Tashkent in 1920 was part of a larger international effort to promote anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist struggles in colonies like India. These international influences not only shaped the ideological foundation of the CPI but also connected the Indian freedom struggle to a larger global movement against imperialism and colonialism. The early development of the CPI was thus intertwined with international revolutionary movements, making it a significant player in both the Indian context and the global struggle for socialism.
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