Historians of repute from across the world began arriving here to attend the 74th session of the Indian History Congress (IHC).
Researchers, scholars and academicians would present at least 1,200 papers during the three-day IHC session scheduled to begin at the Ravenshaw University on Saturday. The papers would be presented on Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India, Countries other than India, Archaeology and Contemporary India (after 1947).
While over 1,500 delegates (all members of IHC) have expressed their desire to participate in the session, six of these delegates are coming from outside India, informed Vice-Chancellor of Ravenshaw University Prof BC Tripathy on Friday. Delegates from Germany, Japan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal and Sri lanka will attend the session.
Prof Tripathy said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would inaugurate the session on Saturday morning in the presence of IHC president Prof Indu Banga. The session would also have two symposiums, namely, Aligarh panel and Odisha panel. While the Aligarh panel would discuss Forms of labour in Indian History, the Odisha panel would discuss History and Present: Rethinking Society, State and Region in Odisha.
But the highlight of the session would be a special lecture to be delivered by renowned historian Prof Romila Thaper who would speak on historical tradition in early North India. Besides, the session would also showcase archaeological and archival exhibitions. The exhibitions would be ‘Journey of Girmatya’, ‘Jagannath Temple in 19th century records, Budhhist heritage of Odisha and recent excavation carried by the Odishan Institute of Maritime and Southeast Asian Studies.
The university is spending Rs one crore by hosting the session, which is being held in the State for the third time. The university is playing host to IHC session for the second time after it hosted the 12th session of IHC way back in 1949.