Book Details

• Title: Pioneers of Indian Trade Union Movement

• Author: Dr. Panchanan Saha

• Publisher: Parul Prakashani Pvt. Ltd.

• Language: English

• Category: History, Nonfiction

• ISBN: 9789384346430

• Cover: Paperback

About The Book

Pioneers of Indian Trade Union Movement by Dr. Panchanan Saha is a profound historical account that brings to light the struggles and sacrifices made by the early champions of India’s labor rights. In a time when British imperialism deliberately stalled industrial growth to benefit foreign capitalists, the seeds of India's trade union movement were sown under extremely hostile conditions.

This book explores the genesis of trade unions in India—a movement that emerged late due to the delayed development of modern industries. The British free trade policy decimated indigenous cottage industries, plunging millions into poverty and transforming India into a supplier of raw materials and a dumping ground for British manufactured goods. However, with time, and due to global economic shifts, British surplus capital started finding its way into India, leading to the growth of new industrial undertakings and the rise of a wage-earning working class.

These early workers faced severe exploitation, with no labor rights or protections. They were not typical industrial proletariats like those in the West, but rather a hybrid of peasants and workers, making their conditions even more precarious. Despite the odds, philanthropists, social reformers, and politically motivated individuals began organizing these workers, paving the way for the modern trade union movement.

This meticulously researched volume highlights the life and contributions of over seventy pioneering figures from across the country—cutting across regions and political affiliations—who laid the foundation of organized labor resistance in India. These individuals stood tall against the combined forces of British colonialists and capitalist exploiters, fighting to secure rights that the modern Indian workforce enjoys today.

Dr. Saha's narrative is both compelling and historically rich, making it an indispensable resource for trade union leaders, labor rights activists, historians, and students of India’s freedom and industrial movements.

A true tribute to the unsung heroes of the labor movement, this book is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand the roots of social justice and organized resistance in India’s labor history.