Amiya Kumar Bagchi, the esteemed Marxist economist and educator, passed away on November 28, 2024, at the age of 88. Born in 1936, Bagchi’s early academic journey began at Presidency College, Kolkata, where he cultivated his profound interest in economics. His scholarly pursuits took him to the University of Cambridge. Bagchi was the director of the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta (CSSSC). Later he established and led the Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata as its director.
His landmark book, "Private Investment in India: 1900-1939", dissected colonial policies and their devastating impacts on India’s economy. His exploration of themes such as colonialism, globalisation, and underdevelopment continues to inspire both the scholars and activists alike.
Among his many acclaimed works are ‘Colonialism and the Indian Economy’, ‘Perilous Passage: Mankind and the Global Ascendancy of Capital’ and ‘The Political Economy of Underdevelopment’. Bagchi’s work was inseparable from his ideological commitment to socialism. He dedicated his life and scholarly work to unravelling the systemic roots of inequality and colonial exploitation, always with an unwavering commitment to the working-class and oppressed peoples of the world.
Red Salute to Comrade Amiya Kumar Bagchi!
