Indian Materialism
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Ramkrishna Bhattacharya
A Marxist in Search of Indian MaterialismRationalist-Marxist scholar Ramkrishna Bhattacharya dedicated his life to rescuing ancient Indian materialism from historical distortions and orthodox dogma. Uncovering authentic Cārvāka aphorisms and tracing rationalist traditions through the Bengal Renaissance, his accessible writing and rigorous scholarship remain a powerful defense against irrationality, myth-making, and intellectual subjugation in contemporary society.
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Facets of Materialism in India: A Historical Outline
Part IIBefore modern egalitarianism challenged traditional hierarchies, ancient India’s materialist heretics dismantled the sacred pillars of social division. Rejecting divine birthrights, textual dogma, and patriarchal subjection, the Cārvākas insisted that physical reality binds all humanity equally—forging a surprisingly radical, democratic social vision that scandalized the orthodox defenders of the status quo.
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Facets of Materialism in India: A Historical Outline
Part ITracing ancient India’s materialist tradition from the times of the Buddha to the 12th century CE, Ramkrishna Bhattacharya uncovers how the Cārvāka/Lokāyata system boldly rejected the Vedas, afterlife, and divine authority. Despite centuries of distortion by orthodox opponents, surviving fragments reveal a radical philosophy that championed gender equality and opposed caste discrimination.