Socio cultural study of a minority linguistic group (Bengalees in Bihar 1858 1912).
Material type:
- 80170186277
- BH 305.7914405412 BAS
Item type | Current library | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds |
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Gandhi Smriti Library | BH 305.7914405412 Bas (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | Available | 53529 |
This book has developed out of my thesis for Ph.D and is
concerned with the part played by the Bengalees in the political,
social and cultural fields in Bihar between 1858, when the power
to govern India was transferred from the East India Company
to the British Crown, and 1912, when Bihar was separated from
Bengal. The justification of choosing 1858 is that besides being
a landmark in Indian history, by this time Bengal had completed
the most brilliant phase of the Renaissance and the Bengalee
migrant community now carried this torch to other parts of
India.
My interest in the topic 'Bengalees in Bihar' began a few
years ago while I was studying the lives and achievements of
Pandita Ramabai, Mrs. Aghore Kamini Devi, Sakharam Ganesh
Deuskar and some leading Bengali writers based in Bihar. It
was, however, Dr. Surendra Gopal, Professor of History, Patna
University and author of a pioneering work on Patna in the
19th century and Brahmo movement in Bihar, who greatly en-
couraged me to explore and develop the subject further. I am
deeply grateful to him for kindly agreeing to guide me in my
research work. His advice on the source material, suggestions
at each stage of my work and correction of draft have immen-
sely helped in the formulation and sharpening of my ideas. No
word of thanks is adequate for his invaluable guidance.
I have collected new information through various sources
and have tried to synthesise it with the available information.
The information was gleaned from English, Bengali and Hindi
language-sources. Additional data were collected through inter-
views and questionnaires from individuals spread all over Bihar.
I do not claim to propound any theme or present a new point
of view in this study. It seems to me, however, that in no lin-
guistic state the majority group alone can boast of achievements.
In a multi-linguistic, multi-cultural and pluralistic society of
ours, minority groups, based on race, language or religion, have
very often played a crucial role in shaping the course of events.
That also explains the uniqueness of the unity of India.
The research work was done mainly in Patna and other dis-
tricts of Bihar. Information was collected either through direct
interviews or through questionnaires from knowledgeable per-
sons. I also worked in libraries in Calcutta and Delhi. I am grate-
ful to the members of the staff of Sinha Library, Patna University
Library, Secretariat Library and Hemchandra Pathagar for
providing all facilities. I had also a profitable time at the Na-
tional Library, Calcutta. I am also thankful to the staff of the
Indian Council of Historical Research and the English and In-
dian Languages Sections of the Central Secretariat Library, New
Delhi.
To late Shri P.C. Roy Choudhury, a former Editor of Bihar
Gazetteers, I owe special gratitude for his guidance, suggestions
and ideas. Even at an old age his interest in works of scholarship
remained undiminished. I should also thank Sri Nabi Nath Jha,
retired Deputy Collector, Darbhanga, for providing valuable in-
formation on my subject, especially on Bengal's relations with
Mithila segment of Bihar in the medieval period.
Thanks are also due to innumerable individuals who took
considerable pains to answer my questionnaires and provide
valuable information. I am also grateful to the distinguished
representatives of some old Bengali families who, in the course
of interviews, not only gave me facts and their socio-economic
background, but added dimension to the local history.
The responsibility for mistakes and errors is entirely mine.
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