This work investigates the socio-political transformation of the Kheda District in Gujarat, examining how local peasant populations became integrated into the broader Indian nationalist movement between 1917 and 1934. David Hardiman, a historian specializing in modern Indian history, utilizes archival records and local accounts to argue that the nationalist mobilization was not merely an elite-led phenomenon but was deeply rooted in the specific agrarian grievances and social structures of the Patidar peasantry. The book provides a detailed framework for understanding how regional economic pressures and caste dynamics facilitated the rise of political consciousness against colonial rule.

Historians frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the subaltern dimensions of the Indian independence movement. Scholars note the rigorous archival research and the clarity with which Hardiman connects local agrarian history to national political trends.