The years 1914 to 1949 were witness to rapid and extensive change in the social and
material conditions of Indians. The transformation of the majority of lndians to an urban-based
proletariat presented them with new challenges as well as additional choices of group
membership. They came into contact with African and white workers in their places of
employment, as well as with Indians from different language and religious backgrounds at
home, school and work. These changes were important for Indian identity formation …