01

‘A Comprehensive History of Modern Bengal, 1700-1950’ (three volumes) edited by the late Professor Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, one of the foremost historians of the country was recently released at the Vidyasagar Hall of The Asiatic Society, Kolkata. Professor Dipesh Chakraborty, Distinguished

Professor of History, South Asian Language and Civilisations, The University of Chicago and Faculty Director, University of Chicago Center in Delhi, released the books. Isha Mahammad, President, The Asiatic Society and Professor Subhas Ranjan Chakraborty, Vice President, The Asiatic Society were also present.

B.N. Varma, Head, Primus Books was also present and shared memories of his beloved ‘Bappa’ (Professor Sabyasachi Bhattacharya). He said, “Till the last day, Bappa worked meticulously and I must credit that man for getting the ideas pinned together.”

While introducing the book, Professor Subhas Ranjan Chakraborty chalked out the span of the books – the Nawab rule in Bengal and its decline, the British rule in India and the partition of Bengal and the independence and the adoption of the Constitution of India. He focused on the importance of the volumes by saying, “60 historians from all over the globe contributed for the books.”

Professor Dipesh Chakraborty shared interesting anecdotes of his association with Professor Bhattacharya and how the latter influenced him from deviating from management and concentrating on history. At a time, when people are oblivious of their past, a comprehensive study of the history of modern Bengal has immense archival and academic value. The three volumes will be available at the Kolkata Book Fair, 2020.