"We Are Trying to Crush Feudal Autocracy"

Maoist leader Prachanda declined to be interviewed in person but agreed to reply in writing to questions delivered by TIME's South Asia bureau chief Alex Perry to a go-between in rebel territory. The reply—dated Feb. 25 and signed "With best regards, Your Prachanda"—came by e-mail. Although TIME could not independently verify that Prachanda wrote the e-mail, several senior Party leaders attested that he was the author.

TIME: Where does your revolution stand?
Prachanda: The great People's War has entered its last stage, of strategic offensive. In 1996, we had not a single modern weapon nor any trained...