Panchanan Saha

The trade union movement in India began late due to late emergence of modern industries. The policy of British imperialist rulers was to prevent growth of modern Industries in India in order to serve the interests of British capitalists. The so called free trade policy destroyed Indian cottage industries throwing millions out of employment making India as the market of British machine made cheap goods and exporter of raw materials for their industries. In spite of that, due to historical reasons ultimately modern industrial undertaking began to take root in India. The flow of surplus British capital began to be invested in India in different sectors. As a result, with the growth of modern industrial undertaking wage earning working class came into existence in India. They were mercilessly exploited having no rights whatsoever. But the new wage earners were not real proletariat like their counterparts in the west. They were half peasant half worker. Their pitiable conditions attracted some philanthropists to undertake their cause in order to ameliorate their conditions. Later on modern trade unions took its shape by selfless works of pioneers belonging to persons of political affiliations and individuals. This book depicts the works of some seventy pioneers trade union movement irrespective of political affiliations spreading all over India. It is fascinating to read their pioneering works braving heavy odds of the time against joint onslaught of British rulers and Capitalists, mostly Europeans. Modern working class is immensely indebted to them. The pioneers have won many trade union rights by tremendous struggle and sacrifice that the modern working class enjoys now. The book is a must to every trade union leader and worker in particular and every student of history in general.