'.This study is a positive contribution to the history of revolutionary terrorism in India prior to World War 1 and of the relationship between revolution and religion.' --The Historian'.a most readable narrative. Heehs is able to bring out the idealism, patriotism and religious fervour which took the young revolutionaries smiling to the gallows.'--Business StandardThe use of violence to secure political ends has engaged the attention of social scientists, politicians, social activists as well as religious leaders. In this century, 'terrorism' is a term which has become loaded, and is made to conjure images of religious fundamentalists on the rampage. However, the defining element of this political tool, the use of violence, has been debated in various ways depending upon the political position of those using violence, and the justifiability of theirobjectives.

This book describes a moment in history which became a landmark on the map of the anticolon ial struggle, but which nationalist historiography did not sufficiently engage with--the revolutionary movement in Bengal. Looking closely at primary sources, the authorlays the ground for a differential understanding of the use of violence. He argues that violent revolutionaries at the turn of the century had a considerable impact on the anticolonial movement, and their ideas and methods differedsignificantly from those using violence at the interface of religion and politics today. A new introduction situates the central concerns of the book against very recent events in world history which have changed the way terrorism is viewed today.