Karl Marx's research has shown that residents of oriental countries live in small centres thanks to the paternalistic link between agricultural labour and the handicraft industry. Throughout history this situation has long created a special social regime called the “village community” regime. Among the oriental nations, India is the country where village communities persist and are most permanent. The following article introduces K. Marx's studies on the birth, administrative and economic organisational structure, and the economic, social and ideological constraints of Indian village communities.