Synopsis Marxism has played a crucial role-directly and indirectly--in the development of social analysis in India. This collection of essays by Andre Beteille addresses the contemporary significance of Marxism in the study of society, polity, and economy. The problems of inequality, class, and conflict in India are discussed with special reference to its agrarian social structure. Marxism has often been identified with what is described as the 'class approach' to society. While recognizing the historical and contemporary relevance of class, the essays in the substantive part of the book deal with other sources of inequality and conflict, and their relationship with class. The analysis also brings out the diverse and changing meanings of class within the Marxist tradition itself. It presents accounts of inequality and conflict at various levels of society: village, district and region. It also provides an overview of the changes that have taken place in the concept of and approaches to the study of class since the time of Marx.  This volume will be of interest to students and scholars of sociology, political science and history.