Jayaprakash Narayan (1902-79) was one of the most prominent leaders and thinkers produced by India in modern times. Although never seeking power for himself, he played a major role not only in the struggle for independence, but also in the Socialist and Sarvodaya movements and finally in the movement against authoritarianism (1974-7), popularly known as the J.P. movement.

This series of volumes has been planned with a view to presenting as full a picture as possible of the evolution of J.P.`s political life and thought through his writings, speeches and letters. As he was in many ways a mirror of his times, it is hoped that the series will also provide an idea of the main currents of ideas and movements during the times in which he lived and worked.
The present volume contains J.P.`s selected writings, speeches and letters between 1929 and 1935, first as a candidate for the Master`s degree in Sociology at the Ohio State University (U.S.A.), then as a major functionary at the office of the All India Congress Committee and finally as the leading figure in the foundation and nurturing of the Congress Socialist Party. The Introduction by the editor seeks to provide a backdrop.