The Origins and Nature of Kerala Political Specificity; Social Reform, Nationalism and Communism to 1940

This thesis explores the influence of prominent early twentieth century social reformers and associated movements in the modern Indian state of Kerala, and how it shaped a particular kind of politics, that at once set it apart from the emerging nationalist mainstream but at the same time was also deeply influenced by it. It shows the growth of a 'Kerala Political Specificity' unique to the region by examining the making of a political culture from the early activism of reformers, to the emerging nationalist movement for independence from 1920s, and the later communist movements in the 1930s.