National Integration in Historical Perspective

The present volume is not merely a chronological record of historical events. It also deals with Socio-Cultural Unity emanating from economic factors between the two neighbouring states of Eastern India – Orissa and Bengal. At present there is danger of disintegration in the country, since we have forgotten to note the essential cultural unity in our life and society. This book aims to serve as a guideline to rediscover our heritage and unity of cultural life style and philosophy of life to save India from disintegration by the pressure of anti-social forces both internally and externally. The period selected by the author for his study starts from the tenth century to the sixteenth century-covering a time-span of five hundred years. The political background of this book starts with the rise of the Eastern Gangas in Orissa as well as the rise of Pala and Sena rulers in Bengal and extends upon sixteenth century when Eastern India was revaged by the Muslim Conquest and influenced by Vaishnava ideas. In the course of a patient and persevering research, the author tried to trace as to how despite political diversity, under-current strands of Cultural Unity had paved way for the unity in socio-economic institutions of Eastern India. It is a micro case study of Eastern India of unity in diversity. It is a unique book of its kind covering both chronological as well as Socio-economic and Cultural History of the period covered by it and should be a “must” not only for libraries in the country and abroad but should also be the proud possession of personal book-shelves of book lovers interested in the history of Eastern India’.

Born in 1934, Prof. Rabindra Nath Chakraborty passed MA (Tripel) in History from the Calcutta University – 1964-1966. He served Govt. Offices before joining teaching profession as lecturer in R.S. College, Amta, Howrah (affiliated to Calcutta University since September, 1966). He received Ph.D. degree in Arts from Sambalpur University, Orissa on “The Studies in the Socio-economic and Cultural Contact between Bengal and Orissa (from 1038 AD-1568 AD)’. He is associated with historical societies – Institute of Historical Studies, Asiatic Society etc.