Friday 6 November 2015

ICHR Projects: Native states

ICHR Projects: Native states 

ICHR has identified certain new areas in the ancient, medieval and modern periods of Indian History which have hitherto been paid no attention by the ICHR so far and very less attention was paid by individual scholars. The projects on history of Indian Science and Technology and Environmental history will be covering both ancient and late medieval times the project on Indian Princely States, another area which did not attract much attention by Indian scholars where as the western scholars are divided into two groups arguing for and against the Indian princes. Western scholars, like Barbara Ramusack, Ian Copland, Thomas R Metcalf, John McLeod, Manu Bhagawan, Waltraud Ernst and Biswamoy Pati, have attempted critical assessment of their role in the British period of Indian history. Some others tried to attract the lay readers with spicy tales about some princes.
There were about 565 princes by the time when the English withdrew from India. Most of them were very insignificant estates. But, almost one-third of India was under their direct rule. Surprisingly, most of them enjoyed respect and reverence of their peoples till the last and their influence was also felt much on their respective areas in the coming three general elections. Nawab of Bhopal said at one time that his people, most of them were Hindus, regarded him as a deity while his Muslim subjects though loved him had reservations. Most of the present works were mostly concerning about major states like Mysore, Hyderabad, Baroda, Bhopal. But, the other medium level states like Cooch Bihar, Travancore were not sufficiently focused. Some of them had survived many vicissitudes braving the rough tides for about a millennium. They strove to preserve, protect and keep alive, though playing at low key and handed down to us whatever we call it ‘Indian’ today. Most of ancient manuscripts can still be traced in the estate libraries.
The part of India under the Princes’ rule is quite justifiably referred to ‘Native India’ during the British period. But they were not considered sympathetically by the Colonial  writers and the Marxist analysts for obvious reasons. Surprisingly, the nationalistic scholars were also not sympathetic to them though most of these princes had attempted modern reforms –social, economic, educational, administrative and political- within their capabilities and resources.  In the post independent era, they disappeared unceremoniously and unwept.
This project covering those states which did not receive much attention of the scholars like Cooch Bihar in the first phase and the others in its second phase is approved in principle and the members of ICHR, Prof Nikhilesh Guha, Dr Saradindu, Prof Purabi Roy in association with other experts in the field will fine tune the project and place on the web-site for comments and suggestions very shortly.