Munshi Premchand Stories online in Hindi

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At the blog Munshi Premchand ki Kahniyan, one can read the short stories of Munshi Premchand in Hindi online. (The visitors to the blog of Munshi Premchand are requested to read the post at To the Readers of Munshi Premchand. )

The author has not revealed his identity but he is probably a person by the name of Raman.

He has done a great job. I think, it is one example of its kind, wherein some Indian has tried to do some substantial work on internet in order to exploit the full potential of this medium and technology for the benefit of the language Hindi as well as the History of India. Munshi Premchand is the first writer who tried to talk about the common man in simple Hindi. His stories reflect the time of early twentieth century and also the struggle of Indians against the British Imperialistic rule.

I think the people who are maintaining the Digital Library of India may look at this work and learn what it actually means to creat a digital library. By giving a list of links to other libraries which have already done the job, is no substantial work. They should also check the last posting on Social Scientist.

I was just wondering about the hardword and technichal excellece of the author of the blog Munshi Premchand. It is very difficult to convert the Devnagri into UTF-8 and then post it on blogger.com. Whenever your posting is more than two or three pages, blogger takes time to upload it. Sometimes all your efforts go waste. However, this guy had achieved a hurculean task.

The people who are working on social history of 20th century India, will definitely find this source useful provided they know to read Hindi.

Social Scientist on Digital South Asia Library

Social Scientist is an important History Journal on Indian History. The digital form of the Social Scientist is available on Digital South Asia Library.

It is a chance finding. I have not found enough sources and authoritative writings on Indian history. The digital versions of the Journal are available from 1972 to 2001. It is a hurried posting and rest of the comments later.

Texas Secession Declaration

This Declaration was issued on February 2, 1861. Before it, South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi had already made public their stand on the justifications and causes to secede from the United States of America.

The declaration of Texas remembered that how on December 29, 1845, Texas, from being an Independent country became part of the Confederated Union for “her welfare, domestic tranquility and thereby sought peace and liberty for her people.

The Texas declaration emphasized that when Texas joined the Union then that union was based on a pact which protected her right of property over the African slaves. It also reminded that they had common link on this issue with other Southern States. It presented the stand that by joining the United State of America, the ties with those states had further strengthened.


However, the declaration questioned the nature of the Federal government towards them since that day.

The declaration also pointed out that in its march towards Pacific Ocean, the Federal Government and non-slaving States had knowingly harmed Texas and “her sister slaveholding States.”


The declaration accused that the Federal government and the Non-Slave Holding States had encouraged crime against the South States. It accused that in Kansas territory, they had harmed the lives and property of the Southern people.


The declaration of Texas had also pointed out that in their fight against the Indians, the Federal Government had not played the positive role. The government had also not protected them against the attacks from Mexico.


The declaration sepcifically identify that the states of Maine, Vermong, New Hamshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Pannsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa had breached the Clause 4 of the Federal Constitution and thereby breach the compact signed between Texas and the Federal Government in December 1845.

The declaration also emphasised the breach of the “good faith and comity” on the part of the North States. The declaration also expressed the fear of the actual agenda based on “the doctrine at war with nature” of the Sectional Party which was going to take over the reigns of the government in the month of March 1861.

The declaration also accused that the discord had been sowed by the sectional party which was going to take over the power whereas the south states had been showing great restraint all through four decades.


The declaration also accused the North States, their sectional party and the Federal Government for making direct attack on the institutions of South, security and peace of the South, property of south and lives of the south people. It also pointed out that they were encouraging and promoting all such organizations which were indulging in harming the South States. For that, the declaration had counted seventeen such States which could be charged with such anti-national activity. Their policy was declared as non-Christian in nature.

Texas’s declaration identified that with them and by that time, six states had separated themselves from the United States of America and the Texas was the seventh one. Thus, the declaration placed before the world the causes and justifications for secession. The Declaration was issued on February 2. 1861 and Ordinance of Secession was issued on February 1, 1861 a day before.


Summary Observation:

The Texas was the youngest State to secede from the Union. The tone, diction, argument and sharpness of the declaration had similarity with the declaration of South Carolina and Mississippi.

Texas identified as the breach of the compact on account of Article 4 of the Federal Constitution as the cause of secession.

Texas also complained that the Federal government was favouring the North States in the march of the nation towards west.

Texas complaint that Federal government did not adopt any policy against the dangers and expenses of South states while dealing with Indians and the attacks from Mexico.

Texas also feared the future course of the destiny of the nation under the Sectional Party under Lincoln and Johnson.

Texas complained that it had suffered in life and property after having joined their fate with United States of America.



Reference:

American Civil War Homepage
Justifications and Causes for Secession on Eve of Civil War Through online Sources
Georgia Declaration of Causes of Secession
Mississippi Secession
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
A similar comment by Walter L. Buenger at Texas State Historical Association

Mississippi Secession

The reasons given by Mississippi declaration of the causes of the secession from the union reads like a list of points given to a question.


Mississippi declaration clearly states that the state was seceding only because of the issue of slavery. The declaration had explained the institution of slavery as vital for the material well being of the state. The rest of the declaration reads like a list of the arguments given as the causes of secession.

The declaration emphasized that the attack on the institution of slavery had started since 1787. It was practically executed in case of Louisiana territory, Texas and Mexico.

By denying the right of the South over their slaves as their property, the Union had breached the compact and it was the main argument of the declaration.

The declaration also pointed that the North states had used their institutions like press, schools, public to raise insurrection in South State.


The North states had promoted such associations which had only one aim of ending the institution of slavery and thereby destroy the South.


Finally, the declaration accused that they had given over the government to such a group that had only one agenda and that was to destroy the South completely.

Summary Observations:

Mississippi declaration was short and categorically stated that they were separating from the Union because the new government had the plan to end the slavery.

They had also equated the separation to the act of separation of colonies from the Crown of England. This argument was also used in South Carolina declaration of separation.

They had also called the attack on the institution of slavery as a breach of contract. This was the argument which was also adopted by the South Carolina declaration of secession.


A peculiar feature is that there is no reference in the body of the declaration itself about the date when it was issued. In case of the South Carolina, Texas, and Georgia, the dates are emphasized but there is no such reference. However, The Ordinance of Secession was issued on January 9, 1861. It was the second state to pass the resolution to secede from the Union after South Carolina had executed the process of secession on December 20, 1860.

Reference:
American Civil War Homepage
Justifications and Causes for Secession on Eve of Civil War Through online Sources
Georgia Declaration of Causes of Secession
Ordinance of Secession of Mississippi at Son of the South Web site.
The scanned copy of Journal of the State Convention and Ordinance and Resolutions adopted in January 1861 as a resource on Mississippi History Now

Georgia Declaration of Causes of the Secession

Georgia placed before the world the reasons to secede from the United States of America on January 29, 1861.

The declaration placed on record two categorical statements. The first statement declared that they serious and numerous complain against their non slave holding confederate States with reference to the subject of African slavery. In the second statement they stated that "they (non-slave-holding States)have endeavoured to weaken our security, to disturb our domestic peace and tranquility, and persistently refused to comply with their express constitutional obligations to us in reference to that property, and by the use of their power in the Federal government have striven to deprive us of an equal enjoyment of the common territories of the Republic.

The declaration emphasized that they had put for long with the insults, injuries and dangers perpetrated by the North States on the South state because they had regard for their national sentiments. It also emphasized that they had persuaded them to desist from continuing such activities. They had also told clearly that a sectional party (Republican Party) should not be entrusted with the government of the country. The resolution accused that the Republic party which had been called as Lincoln party by the resolution was a party of exploded political heresies, of condemned theories in political economy, and advocate to commercial restrictions, of protection, of special privileges, of waste and corruption in administration of government and anti-slavery was its only mission.

The declaration tried to remind that the question of slavery was taken care of during the very inception of the constitution. The acceptance of the constitution was invariably related to recognizing slavery within the body of the constitution. After that was settled, the constitution worked for the benefit of the whole nation for nearly a half century and never was that question brought to realm of contentious issue during that period.

The declaration emphasized that since the inception of the constitution, it was the North which had been receiving undue protection for its material growth. The nation had conceded to their demands for special protection at the expense of the agricultural interests of the rest of nation. The navigating, commercial and manufacturing interests of North had been allowed to seek special privileges. It was the treasury of the Federal government which had been paying for material benefit of the North states at the expense of overall benefit of the whole nation. The beneficiaries of accommodating Federal government was Eastern and Middle non-slave-holding states. The Federal government had condescended to their demands because their economic activities were in its infancy, there was scarcity of labour and capital, the other countries were hostile to them, they had provided material goods during the time of war and need money to pay their debts which they had incurred during the war of independence. Therefore, they were being compensated during that period.

The declaration observed that by 1846, the special privileges doled out to them were withdrawn after the debate in which the whole nation participated. As per the basic spirit and nature of the American nation, the special privileges were then stopped to them. It was replaced by the principle of free trade, low duties and economy in public expenditure. The change was smooth and it worked well for the benefit of the whole nation.

However, after that, a section took up of the issue of anti-slavery only to regain the earlier benefits. They tried to revive the anti-slavery sentiment of the North. The section got the chance when Mexico was acquired. The resolution reminded that Mexico was acquired with blood and money of South. However, when the North tried to use Congressional Legislation to curb the slavery in that region, the South met with great moderation though it was an insult to them.

The declaration also reminded that through the ordinance of 1787, the right over property of South was secured by the constitution. It also recorded that Virginia had parted with her territory only when it was given constitutional guarantee that South would be allowed to retain their property right over slaves. Before Missouri compromise, the North States again tried to damage their property right over slaves. By 1852, the anti-slavery group lost all their political significance. It was then, the Lincoln party again organized itself. In 1860, the Lincoln party had won the election by exploiting the antislavery sentiment and it was unacceptable to Georgia.

It was lamented in the declaration, that constitutional had secured their property, the Supreme Court had passed judgements in favour of that right, the nation had debated the issue for forty years and given verdict in favour of equal enjoyment of their property right but in 1860, the North Sates were about to deny that right. Not only that, the North States had also tried to raise rebellion in South states. They had tried to destroy the peace of the South States and the Federal government had failed to secure them peace and justice.

Finally the deceleration placed on the record that why they were not ready to accept the government in the hands of the Republic party. Giving the reason, the placed on record that because by their declared principles and policy they have outlawed $3000000000 of our property in the common territories of the Union; put it under the bad of the Republic in the States where it exists and out of the protection of Federal law everywhere; because they give sanctuary to thieves and incendiaries who assail it to the whole extent of their power, in site of their most solemn obligations and covenants; because their avowed porpoise is to subvert our society and subject us not only to the loss of our property but the destruction of ourselves, our wives, and our children, and the desolation of our homes, our altars and our fireside.

Summary Observations:

• The Georgia declared that "they (non-slave-holding States) have endeavoured to weaken our security, to disturb our domestic peace and tranquility, and persistently refused to comply with their express constitutional obligations to us in reference to that property, and by the use of their power in the Federal government have striven to deprive us of an equal enjoyment of the common territories of the Republic."
• 
  The North States had unduly used the Federal Treasury during the earlier years of the Union for the material benefit. It was allowed then because, South was not dependent on the Federal support for its material progress whereas it was needed by North. However, that material support was ended by 1846.
• 
  The North States harmed their material gains when it forced the South to adopt the Missouri Compromise and again when Mexico was taken over.
• 
  A group of wrong political notions, had tried to exploit dormant sentiment of North state only for gaining the political power. North wanted to regain the material support of the treasury and harm the South by denying it freedom to use the constitutional right, it had allowed that political group, then known as Republican Party.

The South States had been suffering insult and harm to them for long. Therefore, when Republican party, which had made anti-slavery an issue only to gain power, Georgia had separated itself to regain liberty, equality, security and tranquility.

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For Reference:
American Civil War Homepage

Our Documents by NARA: Online Source to form a more perfect Union An USA Department Initiative

A discussion had started on H-TAH list. The question was placed by Paul Leslie of Nicholls State University.

The responses were quite fruitful. The query was to "list fifteen documents/speeches that reflected America's past over the last 306 years". Gary Daynes and Debra Schneider directed the attention to Our Documents.

On the site one can find 100 such documents starting from Lee Resolution (1776) to Voting Rights Act (1965).

Daynes finds the list idiosyncratic (?!!) but simultaneously refer to the discussion by NARA (National Archives and Records Administration – USA) on the issue of selecting or excluding of the documents.

Schneider of Merrill F. West High School, Tracy, California has pointed out that this list is there for the last two years.


I quote from the site about its aim.

"We invite all Americans to participate in a series of events and programmes to us thinking, talking and teaching about the rights and responsibilities of citizens in our democracy. At the heart of this initiative are 100 milestone documents of American history."

It is desired there that students, teachers, parents, and the general public direct attention to them in order to form a "more perfect union"(Is it a reference to Civil War?).

As a teacher, I am delighted to learn about this. I hope that it is going to remain there for long.


Apart from the motive, it is exhilarating and amazing to find such a thing on the web. I have been talking about the need of online sources and using for technology for the Human resource development along with other like minded people and teachers. Here I am finding a case which shows the way that it can be achieved through such a model. I am presently also working on an article on misuse of Mobile Phones for cheating, memory sticks and pen scanners for cheating in AIIMS Exams, using sms for solving IIT entrance exams. Everyone say that the student should be penalized and all such devices should be banned. On the other hand, it is desired under ICT project to use the new technologies to promote research, human resource development and fruitful interaction. Then, there are sting operations, hidden cameras and like activities to contain corruption but it is raising the issue of privilege of privacy. The same devices are being used to film immoral activities. One is just at loss to understand that what actually we are going to make out of these technologies. But here is an answer. May the Bhartiyas (Indians with capital at New Delhi) look at it !!

As a teacher I am amazed, happy and highly enthusiastic on finding this source. I read the Article of Confederation and Constitution of America especially Article 4 which had been identified in the Secession Resolution of South Carolina on December 24, 1860 in order to declare that there was a breach of compact. Now, I have the source to read and counter check all the references to all such historic documents in original. In case of India, one can find the Parliamentary debates since 1946 at India Image. However, it requires lot of skills to locate them. I always reached by fluke to the desired documents not knowing how to reach a same document again and again. The ICT projects of UGC have not directed their attention to similar type of public responsive initiative by the archives. The National Archive of India has placed the web site but with the hope to decide upon the model on which they are going to make the documents available to the general public. It is left to all those resourceful people to acquire money to reach there but people like me, who do not like any binding while working would never get there. The Digital Library of India is ready but one does not know when they will bring documents in different languages online apart from the Telegu documents.

Well, this is something good. It is yet another important and useful Online Source for teachers and research scholars regardless of the aim of the site with which they have envisaged this model. Let us hope they maintain it there for long.

Justifications and Causes for Secession on Eve of Civil War Through online Sources

The Convention of the delegates of South Carolina met at Columbia. It then shifted to Charleston. On December 20, 1860, by an ordinance, it dissolved the union between the state of South Carolina and other States united with her under the compact entitled "The Constitution of the United States of America." (Reference: University of Tennesse Sunsite )

The same convention on December 24, 1860 dissolved its union between South Carolina and other States of North America and simultaneously by words, declared it self as a nation among the nations of the world. The resolution to this effect was titled "Declaration of the Immediate Causes which induce and justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union".

The following observations can be made on the contents of the resolution of December 24, 1860 which gave the justification and causes of the secession.

The Convention of delegates of South Carolina mentioned to her resolution of April 26, 1852 in beginning of the resolution.

It pointed out that therein, the Convention of South Carolina had observed that there was "frequent violations of the Constitution of the United States, by the Federal government." Through those violations, the resolution of the South Carolina observed, that the Federal Government had made "encroachments upon the reserved rights of the States". It also emphasized that it was in the year 1852 itself, that the convention of the South Carolina had worked and thought on the line of secession from the union because of the violations of the Constitution of the United States by the Federal Government.

The convention of South Carolina observed with great concern that they had been showing the virtue of great forbearance but in face of frequent violations of the Constitution of Unites States America, the virtue had lost its appeal when faced with such breach of trust.

With the above mentioned forces at work, the convention of South Carolina declared that it had resumed her separate and equal place among the nations.

With that reality to live, the convention of South Carolina continued in the resolution to give words to the causes and elucidate the justifications in order to emphasize the causes that have led to that act.

The resolution first gave the justification of attaining the status of an independent state among the community of the independent nations. It emphasized that on July 4, 1776, when the thirteen colonies started the American resolutions, they stood as "free and Independent States" and they fought against the British rule with that status. Referring to that event, the resolution emphasized that the urge to undertake the revolution was guided by the basic principle which was, that when a "government becomes destructive of the ends for which it was established, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government. It was under this principle, that the colonies at that time had broken their links with the British Empire.

It tried to remember in the resolution itself that it was for the security of the states on collective level that the independent states had come under the a league by writing the Articles of Confederation and the Congress of the United States had come into existence. The war was fought by that Congress and that Congress did not retain any power which was not entrusted to it and those powers remained with the states which had come together under that Congress.

On the basis of the above arguments, the South Carolina emphasized that at that time two principles were fully accepted and practiced. The first principle was that the state had the right of self government. It was first the constitution of the states, which came into existence and the constitution of the United States had come on a later date and rectified by the states working under their own constitution at that time. The second principle that was the cause of the birth of the new independent free and self governing states was that the people of the state had the right to abolish the government which becomes destructive of the ends of which it was instituted.

It emphatically pointed out that it was in 1787 that the states sent her deputies to revise the Articles of Confederation and the existing constitution of America came into existence only then.

The secession resolution of South Carolina had pointed out that the constitution which South Carolina accepted on May 23, 1788, was in nature a compact between the states. The South Carolina had joined the compact along with eight other states. Later two more states accepted the constitution. It was after along time that rest of the two states joined in.

The acceptance of the constitution equated to a compact in which the residual powers were with the states. These states had come into existence by a Declaration of Independence granting them the status of a sovereign state. It was so recognized by Great Britain on September 3, 1783.


The main argument which ran through the resolution was that the states were free and sovereign which was granted to them by the Declaration of Independence. Further, that any form of government when becomes destructive of the ends for which it was established, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and to institute a new government.

Thirdly that the acceptance of constitution by the state was similar to the compact wherein the residual powers remained safe with the constituent state.

The South Carolina convention of December 1860 evaluated the acceptance of constitution of America by South Carolina a compact. The convention also averred in the resolution that the performance of the material part of a compact is responsibility of each party that had joined in the compact. Any breach by any one party release the other party form the obligation of honouring the terms of the compact and thereby release the other party to exercise its own judgement to determine the fact of failure with all its consequences.

With the above rationale, the South Carolina convention declared that the federal government had breached the pact and pointed out by name fourteen such states which committed the breach.

The South Carolina convention asserted that the breach had taken place in respect of the fourth Article of the constitution of America. The fourth Article stipulated that "No person held to service or labour in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall in consequence of any or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labour, but shall be delivered up, on claim of th party to whom such service or labour may be due."

The convention also placed on the record that Virginia joined the United States or in other words accepted the constitution when the article four was enshrined in the constitution. The convention also emphasized that it was the obligation of ‘General Government’ (Federal Government) as the common agent of the parties who had joined the compact to ensure the performance of the material part of the article. The Convention named the fourteen States that violated the spirit of the article four. The convention also accused the General Government of her failure to perform the material part of the article 4 in the role of a common agent.

The states which were accused of breaching were Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa. The convention finally asserted that "the constituted compact has been deliberately broken and disregarded by the non-slaveholding States, and the consequence follows that South Carolina is released from her obligation."

The Convention accused that the fourteen non-slaveholder states had openly went against the article 4 of the Federal Government. The resolution gave specific case in case of some of them.

The convention also observed with great concern that by their acts, the fourteen non-slaveholding North States had tried to damage some of the established institutions of South States. They were encouraging open insurrection against Slave Holding South States.

On the basis of above accusations, the resolution incorporated the conclusion that, "the constituted compacts has been deliberately broken and disregarded by the Non-Slave Holding States, and the consequences follows that South Carolina is released from her obligation."

The Convention observed that Federal Government also failed to maintain the spirit of the compact on another front. According to South Carolina, that it was the basic goal of the constitution that through its material operation, it would "form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for common defence, promote general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity."

The Convention observed that the Federal Government had failed in that goal which was enshrined in the constitution. It expressed its disapproval by putting it on records that "we affirm that these ends for which this Government was instituted have been defeated, and the Government itself has been made destructive of them by action of the non Slaveholding States."

The resolution observed that the section of North State were "deciding upon the propriety of our (their) domestic institutions," ‘denied the rights of property established in fifteen of the States’ that had been otherwise recognized by the constitution. The delegates of the convention observed that the North States had termed some of their established institutions which were recognised by the constitution, as sinful. They were destroying the institutions of South States by encouraging insurrection, by sending emissaries and by using books and pictures.

The Convention observed that the North States were knowingly denying their constitutional rights, destroying their established and recognized institutions and calling their institutions sinful for 25 years.

The Convention further observed that at that pint of the time that had openly "secrued to its aid the power of the Common Government."

By making a final case in favour of the secession, the convention placed on record that, "a sectional party has found within that Article establishing the Executive Department, the means of subverting the Constitution itself." Further, "A geographical line has been drawn across the Union…." The North States had united to elect a President of the United States, who had declared that "Government can not endure permanently half slave and half free." The South Carolina thus expressed her stand and policy before the new president took oath of the office. The Convention also observed that it was a design of North States to subvert the Constitution by extending voting rights to such person who were incapable of becoming citizens. They had planned to use their votes to "inaugurate a new policy hostile to South and destructive of its beliefs and safety."

The Convention feared that afte 4th day of March next, the Federal Government will have become their enemy. The Federal Government, it was feared, would work on sectional lines.

The Convention observed that from then onwards, "erroneous religious beliefs" would work behind every policy decision.

The South Carolina finally wrote, "We, therefore, the People of South Carolina, by our delegates in Convention assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for rectitude of our intentions, have solemnly declared that Union, heretofore, existing between this State and other States of North America is dissolved."

Thus the South Carolina separated herself from the rest of the Unites States of America by separating herself from the compact and the other North States. After separation, it accorded a status to itself in the following words.

"The State of South Carolina resumed her position among the nations of the world, as a separate and independent States; with full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce and to do all other acts and things which independent States may of right do." It was signed and adopted on December 24, 1860.


Summary Observations:

• 
  These are the eight major observations on the justifications and causes of secession by South Carolina on the basis of the Convention which begun on December 17, 1860 and held at Columbia and then Charleston.
• 
  There was violation of the Constitution by the Federal Government. The Federal Government had made encroachments on the reserved rights of the States.
• 
  The Convention emphasized that the very existence of the Union was on the working of the pure truth that had established them ( 13 colonies in 1776) as "as free and independent states on July 4, 1776. They attained that status on the working and exercise of the truth which the convention states as follows:
  "When a government becomes destructive of the ends for which it was established, it is the right of people to alter or abolish it and to institute a new government"
  
• The Articles of Confederation and later the Constitution of United States of America had left the rights not specified in their body with the states and working of those rights could be carried out by the states with full freedom and independence.
  
• The Constitution of United States of America which South Carolina accepted on May 23, 1788, was in nature a compact between the states. Under that compact, the residual powers were left with the States. The Federal Government under the constitution of United States America came up as a general agent and a general government for the Union and its constituting states.
  
• The joining of any state in the union was in nature a compact. The working of the compact required that all parties honour their obligation and work for the working of the material part of the compact. Any breach by any one party release the other party from the obligation of honouring the terms of the compact and thereby release the other party to exercise its own judgement to determine the fact of failure with all its consequences. As and when it is established that the compact was breached, then South Carolina was free to determine its future course of after coming out of the compact from which it was released when other parties breached the compact.
  
• South Carolina observed that the breach of the compact had taken place with respect o Article 4 of the Constitution of United States of America. The act of breaking the compact had been continuously carried out by 14 North States for last 25 years. The act of breach had been done by 14 non-slaveholding North States by attacking the domestic institutions of South States, by calling their institutions as sinful and failing to fulfill their obligation with respect to Article 4 of the Constitution of the United States of America.
  
• The 14 non-slaveholding North States had also tried to raise insurrection in South States. The General Government had extended them her protection in their act of damage to South State and thus failed in aim for which it had been jointly raised. The aim of the General Government was "to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for common defence, promote general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity." On the contrary, the General Government had extended protection to North States in raising insurrection in South States.
  
• Finally, the resolution observed that a sectional party had come up which had united the North States for damaging the domestic institution s of South states. They had drawn a geographical line between north and south states. They were guided by "erroneous religious beliefs." They wanted to extend the right of voting to such persons, who were incapable of becoming citizens and finally they had elected a President who asserted that "Government can not endure permanently half slaves and half free." From March 4, 18612, all the acts of General Government would be carried on sectional lines guided by erroneous religious beliefs.
  

Hence, South Carolina, which had already dissolved its compact with the constitution, also dissolved the union with other states.

References and Sources:

1. 
   For the text of resolutions of secession by various states on the eve of Civil War, refer to: University of Tennessee Sunsite as Copied by Justin Sanders from J.A. May & J.R. Faunt, *South Carolina Secedes* (U. of S. Car. Pr, 1960), pp. 76-81
   
2. For the various ordinances in original refer to Documenting The American South

Digital History Hacks: Methodology for the Infinite Archive

Digital History Hacks: Methodology for the Infinite Archive

William J. Turkel has raised the same discussion of making the histories available in digital form thereby bringing the democratization of knowledge.

It is hoped that he is not suggesting a history as desired by people but as the work of historians for the prosterity.

The article was reached through Miland Brown reference to History Carnival 30, prepared by Jeremy Boggs at Clio Web.

The main argument is that the need is being felt that the more and more people reach the original sources and comments by the historians. The digital format of the knowledge accessed through inter connectivity of computers can bring about a more bigger revolution than what the printing of the books had shown us. In the field of history, this has been said again and again but the commentators, who mainly try to discuss one period, or one event, or one type of history, actually want to say that they want that all the versions should be immediately available. It is needed because, a history student has work with the words in reference to the sources from where those words have been borrowed. In order to give a true work of history, one requires an access to primary sources and also the versions of the fellow historians.

However, what is the big history concept? Is it possible to to write the history from the big bang to the present day in its complete form? Well it can be imagined but will it be a practicle activity. Secondly, is the methodology and the real definition are decided among a larger group of history students. The consciouness of past, the past as the source of your consciousness keep on telling you that there is a filed of knowledge which deals with change and continuity over space and time and that is the only surity of the existence and continuity of the subject "history". But as far the the interpertation and methodologies that are to be adopted, it is yet to be chalked out. However, with the digital sources available online, there can be a possibility of framing a real step by step methodology.

Civil War Memory

Civil War Memory (Kindly read the note below as this link is defunt now)

I have come across this blog through History News Network.

Presently I am working on Civil War therefore, it has attracted my attention. I have given a very casual look at the contents. But I got interested because it has links to sources and it is a blog by a history teacher. I hope to get some like minded activity on this blog and explore it soon and make comments on this very posting.

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Kindly note that Kevin the author of above blog has migrated to Civil War Memory

The same information is also posted by the author himself below in the comment section of this very posting.

I have found that many bloggers, especially those like Kevin who blog regularly, they migrate to other services. Is there any major reason behind it?

As far I am concerned, I am quite comfortable with Blogspot services. I am not that regular. There is major problem of electricity which is very erratic. As a result, You do not get time to make your posting after doing your job. However, even then, I think, I do not find any need to check other services.

Date: April 28, 2006. 8. 30 AM

Some Rare Photographs

One can find some rare photographs on this blog concerning the Indian History.

The address of the blog is http://mailindia.blogspot.com/

However, the motive of the blog is given as follows:

"A blog made for those who appreciate and enjoys natural beauty of India.A phenomenol country with differnet culture and communities making all together and binding together in one rope of unity - India."

The activity on the blog has started only in December 2005.

Preparing course materials regarding women in South Asia

I have recently read "Women in Modern India" by Geraldine Forbes. The book is about the South Asia Women.


I have developed better perception after reading this book. The author has discussed different perspectives which I think is relevant to the need of preparing a course material regarding women in South Asia.


I would like to stress on the Bibliographic Essay in her book. It is really exhaustive and quite comprehensive. The author has discussed various problems and limitation about the primary sources throughout the book and also in the Essay. She has commented upon most readily available sources except the diaries and personal letters which she claims that she was fortunate to read but not available now. I think the essay spread over 26 page from 255 to 281of 2004 may be of great help to you. The author has covered it for the period from 1800 to 1990.


I am writing about this book on my blog at reviewviewanalysis.blogspot.com. Similarly, after having developed a substantial perspective on Gender studies I intent to write some write-ups on this blog.


The above book has given me a better understanding of social history. I am still fighting to learn and define the social history. This book has given me a perspective about another oppressed section in Indian and South Asian society. Earlier I had rigid view of such a study but this book has helped me to see women as a section in a society which forms a group and deserves historic evaluation with an independent perceptive. Earlier I used to view them as it was studied by sociologist and viewed their feministic slogans with great reservation. However, now I feel, that as a student of history, I must study and develop my understanding of women as a social group which plays a role in History. Anyhow, I may write about such things separately.


As far the films are concerned I am unable to recollect the names of some of films but I can recollect that the main characters of three leading films on women in India were played by Indian Actress Shabana Azmi. Shabana Azmi is also associated with Women Reservation Bill and many organizations concerned with women upliftment. One of the film was directed by Shyama Benegal in which social milieu in a village has been portrayed in a realistic manner. The other film is about a God Mother, a woman Don in Rajasthan social background. The other film I remember is Rudali in which the main character was played by Dimple Kapadia.


Another movie which I understand, can depict the village life and a struggle of a woman in patriarchal is the famous commercial movie "Mother India" in which the central character is played by Late Nargis Dutt. The turmoil through which she passes is creation of Indian socio-economic realities and also "cultural hegemony" of its kind which is hall mark of Indian traditional society. The problems of the main character begin when her husband becomes a wanderer and the village is visited by a drought. The struggle of the Indian woman to feed her two sons and save herself from the lecherous custodians of traditions and economic practices is well depicted though with the tinge of commercial cinema.


For the time being I will like to add here a link Women in India. Many of the comments on this website are biased but I have been learning many things from here.


I am also reproducing below the syllabus of Post Graduate Course as being taught at Punjab University Chandigarh, India. I hope the topics and the essential reading and reference reading will be useful. However, all the books suggested below have been commented upon by Forbes in her Bibliographic Essay suggested above.


Gender Relations in Modern India


Unit I
1. Historiography of Gender Relations: Basic Concepts; Research Methodology; Perspectives – Liberal, Radical, Marxist, Socialist and Nationalist.
2. Position of Women in Pre – Colonial India: Structures of Patriarchy; Legal Position of Women; Women in Family and Society.
3. Socio-Economic Position in Colonial India: Social Reformers – agenda; Education and Literacy; Economic position.


Unit II
4. Women and Law in Colonial State: Customary law; State Legislation; the development of personal laws.
5. Organisation and Struggle: Women’s organizations; Women’s Participation in the Nationalist Movement; Women Activists.
6. Indian Thinkers on Women Issues: Revivalist thinkers; Radical Thinkers; Gandhi on Women.


Unit III
7. Development of Women’s Movement in Post Independence: Theoretical approaches to the movement; Structure of the Indian Women’s Movement; New Phase in Feminist Movement – its Ideology.
8. Role of the State: Education and Change; Legislation on Women’s issues.
9. Constitutional Provisions and Changes ; Struggle for rights of Women; Rural Movements; dalit women’s struggle; resources and structure of urban empowerment.


Unit IV
10. Economic Position of Women in Independent India: Role of Women in Indian Economy; Women in organised and unorganised sectors, Women and Environment.
11. Post Independence Strategies: Women in panchayti raj; Political Participation of Women in Legislatures; Media and Women.
12. Continuity and Change : Changing status of women; violence against women; gender equality-different agendas.


Essential Readings:


1. B. R. Nanda (ed.), Purdah to Modernity.
2. J. Krishnamurthy, Women in Colonial India – Essay on Survival, Works and the State.
3. Jana Matson Everett, Women and Social Change in India
4. Janaki Nair, Women and Law in Colonial India : A Social History.
5. Kiran Pawar (ed.), Women in Indian History.
6. Kumkum Sangari and Sudesh Vaid (eds.) Recasting Women.
7. Nandita Gandhi and Nadita Shah, The Issues at Stake Theory and Preactice in the Contemporary Women Movement in India.
8. Neera Desai and Maithreyi Krishnaraj, Women and Society in India.
9. Partha Chatterjee, The Nation and its Fragments, Colonial and Post Colnial Histories.
10. Radha Kumar, The History of Doing : An Illustrated Account of Movements for Women’s Rights and Feminism in India 1800-1990.
11. Ranjana Sheel, The Political Economy of Dowry, Institutionalization and Expansion in North India.
12. S. A. Chatterjee, The Indian Women in Perspective.
13. Tanika Sarkar and Urvashi Butalia (eds.), Women and the Hindu Right, A Collection of Essays.
14. V. Dhruvrajan, Hindu Women and Power of Ideology.


Reference Readings:


1. Altekar, A. S., The Position of Women in Hindu Civilization : Retrospect and Prospect.
2. Altekar A. S., Vijay Agnew, Elite Women in Indian Politics.
3. Bina Aggarwal, Structures of Patriarchy: State Community and Household in Modernising Asia
4. Bharati Ray, Early Feminists in India.
5. Bharati Ray and Aparna Basu (eds.), From Independence Towards Freedom, Indian Women Since 1947.
6. Das, Veena, Indian Women : Work, Power and States in B. R. Nanda (ed.), Indian Women From Purdah to Modernity.
7. Dorix, R. Jakobsh, Relocating Gender in Sikh History – Transformation, Meaning and Identity,
8. Gail Omvedt, Reinventing Revolution.
9. G. Leela Kasturi and Vina Majumdar (eds.), Women and Indian Nationalism.
10. Leslie J. Calman, Towards Empowerment, Women and Movement of Politics in India.
11. M. Mazheruddin Siddiqui, Women in Islam.
12. P. Mukherjee, Hindu Women Normative Models.
13. Patrica Uberoi, Family, Kinship and Marriage in India.
14. Rehmani Begum, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.
15. Vandana Shiva, Staying Alive : Women Ecology and Survival in India.
16. Vina Mazumdar (ed.), Symbols of Power : Studies on the Political Status of Women in India.

Geraldine Forbes

The home page of Geraldine Forbes is http://www.oswego.edu/~forbes/.


I have begun a review, view and analysis of her book titled "Women in Modern India" under The New Cambridge History of India edition published by Cambridge University Press at my blog www.reviewviewanalysis.blogspot.com.


Her home page has some interesting links to the newspapers and magazines of South Asia.


Her Home page also contains useful information about her CV and her present engagements.

nobs

There are two sites.


http://nobsword.blogspot.com/ has its archives since October 17, 1993. Is it possible? I think it is older than Googles. However the latest entry is of May 05, 2005.


Second one is http://nobsnews.blogspot.com/. It has archives since December 31, 1989. It can not be possible. Blogging is hardly there since 1997 if I am right. However the latest entry is of March 09, 2005.

There is another blog with the same characteristics as nobsblog.blogspot.com.

It is fascinating. On one blog, where it is permited, the blog profile declares that blogger is blogging since October 2004. On the another blog with the same title, it is declared that the blogger is there since March 2005.

In one profile, the blogger claims that he is in New Mexico and in other, in North America. At one place he writes that he is in consulting industry and in other, he declares that he is researcher by occupation. He is putting others to research.


Any how, this site source has a huge bank on numerous books and other intersted links.

____

Editing Just after Ten Minutes:

The Trail is not ending.

Here is another blog with the same title http://nobsoppo.blogspot.com/.

Here in the profile, the blogging is being declared to have taken place since June 2005. As per the posting, the recent posting is of November 15, 2005. However, blogsearch on google shows that the last update was done August 7, 2005. The links are missings but overall a pattern of architecture of the blog is same.

Quite interesting.

More Digital Book Sources available ONLINE

It is continuation of the post "Is the contention against the google print valid".

Here are listed some more digital sources which are freely available to the Internet users and research scholars.
The California eScholarship Initiative
The Electronic Text Center of the University of Virginia Library
Humanities Text Initiative of the University of Michigan
University of Pennsylvania Library

The following sources are given in the syllabus of Punjab University Chandigarh for the subject of history.
http://archives.econ.utah.edu
http://www.history.rochester.edu/
http://www.marxism.org/
http://ohiou.edu/

Similarly, the members of H-Net under different sections keep on providing such links from where you can access online sources.

Apart from that, the legendary gutenburg project of Michael Hart is already there since 1971 and now 17000 + rich.

In addition to that there is a posting on www.infotoday.com attributed Paula J. Hane which has surveyed the future of the digital projects going to come in future.

Another source is The New Zeland Digital Library of the University of Walkato.

A comment of James Hilton sums up the need to digitize the sources available. To quote, "In the future, most research and learning is going to take place in a digital world. Material that does not exist in digital form will effectively disappear. We need to decide whether we are going to allow the development of new technology to be used as a tool to restrict the public’s access to knowledge, or if we are going to ensure that people can find these works and that they will be preserved for future generations."

It should be further added that no ethics and reason can stop the march of the technology and the aversions of those who presently dominate the dispersion of knowledge and value based information.

The google book project has really taken hold of my imagination. It is in a way hampering my other important tasks at hand. But, after reading the article by Paula J. Hane, it is given to think that so much fuss about google book is unnecessary. I doubt that all this commotion was a market gimmick and intentionally created. It seems to be a media management before bring some new market product.

The idea behind google book is strong and it is here to stay. It was already there but the google book has just brought the recent publications in its ambit also. In that case, they have brought in next logical activity before us. Now the need is to organize and regulate it. You can not stop it. You have to permit it. The only thing which is required is to regulate it.

Rizwan Kadri on Sardar Patel

It is believed that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had never fought any election in his lifetime. Secondly, there is no reference to the election participation by Gandhiji himself in his autobiography, "My Experiment with Truth".

The Second established notion in the history of Modern India is that it was Gandhiji who had given the label of "Sardar" to Vallabbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister of independent India and first Home Minister in the cabinet of Jwahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Republic of India.

Dr. Rizwan Kadri (37) has presented his doctoral thesis to Gujarat University under the title Sardar Patel – Ek ‘Sinh Purush’. In his thesis, on the basis of archival records, and publications like Prajabhandhu (Gujarati – since defunct) and Gujarat Mitra (Gujarati), it is proved that Mahatma Gandhi had contested the 1915 Gujarat Congress Subject Committee election. Again in 1919,Gandhiji contested Gujarat Sahitya Parishad election. It is stated therein, as per a report in India Today, Volume XXX, Number 46, November 15-21, 2005, released on November 14, 2005, a publication of Living Media India Ltd, New Delhi, that Gandhiji had lost both the elections on both the occasions. It is believed that he had never stood in any election after that.

Further, it is again stated in the report of the India Today, in their Offtrack section under the pen of Uday Madhurkar, that Dr. Kadri believes that it was not Gandhiji who had bestowed the label of ‘Sardar’ on Vallabbhai Patel. It was the people of Bardoli, who had started calling him Sardar. This fact is also claimed by Sumit Sarkar in ‘Modern India 1885-1847’.


Nature of Reporting on a Muslim Scholar:

The achievement of Dr. Rizwan Kadri, a lecturer in Swaminarayan Arts College, Ahmedabad, under the organisation, which is famous for Akshardham Temple, is really commendable. However, while reporting the achievements of the scholar, a peculiar tone has been given to the article.

It is reported in the Offtrack section of the prestigious India Today magazine. The Offtrack is a general feature of the prestigious magazine. Under this section, reporting is done on such personalities and activities which are generally in nature of individual achievements. That justifies the tile of the section as Off Track.

The achievement of Dr. Rizwan Kadri in the eyes of the reporter seems to be an individual achievement. He has concluded his 430 words report on the scholar in the following words.

"In age of short attention spans, Kadri stands out for his dispassionate and meticulous research."

Being a student of history, I have felt perturbed. India is suffering from one major shortcoming. There is great need of scholarly work in major areas in social, political, cultural and economic fields. However, all such research is coming from outside and Indian scholars especially in the field of sociology, history, anthropology and archeology, are just reacting to what the foreigners are saying about this part of world. This is not some thing new. Similar view had been expressed long back by Romila Thapar. Here, it is pointed out in field of other social sciences also. Whenever, some good work comes up, it is rated as offtrack. That is the irony. It is a cause of agony for many of the teachers and scholars in the field of social sciences.

Further, the reporter had pointed out what the scholar has found in case of relation between Patel and Jinnah and also in case of Lokmanya Tilak. Similarly, his scholarly work and its findings are compared with the views of Mulana Azad. The value of his work is not rated for its contents but emphasized on the point that who has done it.

There are some other reports on Dr. Rizwan Kadri. Those reports are related to the activities of the employer of Dr. Kadri. There is a report on the web site of Swaminarayan Gadi in which the release of the book of Dr. Rizwan Kadri had been reported (One may find the photograph of Dr. Rizwan Kadri standing in silken Kurta in there). The report is projecting the activities of the organization more than the actual achievement of Dr. Rizwan Kadri. Similarly there is report by the same organization on the activities of NSS. It is specifically pointed out that social work had been supervised by Dr. Rziwan Kadri. I just fear that at the maximum he would be appointed as Principal and with that "dispassionate" scholar will whittle under the weight of his gratitude and work. Similarly, there is another report on K. K. Shastri (100) (a report of Asian Age) a veteran founder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. It has been attributed to this legendary personality that he is mentioning the name of Dr. Rizwan Kadri in order to bring out the real nature of the present fight of Hindus under Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

There is another report on the preservation activities Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. It is about preserving the historic buildings in Gujarat which is actual heritage of Republic of India. Now there is a general neglect of such buildings by the Indian nation on the whole. However, in that report also, the news piece considered it important that Dr. Rizwan Kadri should be quoted. The report has been picked from Indian express another important news publication of India. Well in case of this report, it can be understood, that as the building in question is somehow associated with Sadar Patel, and the scholar being an expert on it, he is the right person for such comments.

Being a student of history, I have been making this point, that there is need of reinterpretation of Indian History and some real work which is not coming up. There is a need that print media should also take up this issue. However, the way it is being taken, leaves lot to be desired. A scholar is not identified for the contents of his work but for his religion. The achievement of the scholar is emphasized not on the basis of his work but on the basis of his religion. The religion of the scholar is subtly being used to convey a different message. The actual message should have the need to identify nature of the research activity in India but that is not there and it is well projected in the quotation of a reporter given above.

I wish a great success for the young scholar. However, I fear that he may not be used as a tool. This is what for which the history and historians are being used. I can just feel the hurt of Firdausi, when he was cheated by Mahmud Ghaznavi.

Is Contention Against Google Print Valid?

I am unable to understand that why there is so much hue and cry about the Print Google.

They have been accused of stealing the printed contents of the rightful owners and making them available to the rest of the souls on the earth without any price and thus causing the monetary loss to the writers and the publishers. They are being accused of infringing on the intellectual property rights and copyrights and thus forcing the victims to take them to the court. They are being accused of starting the trend in which the laws have to be re-written.


For three days, I am trying to experiment with the Print Google dot com. I am using the terms, concepts, the names and authors related to Indian history. I am getting a huge list of books. It is very exhilarating to see the list of the books, the name of the authors, the date of publication and all the material, which are required for any research scholar to start his work. The lists which comes up can be used by a teacher or student or a researcher in a field to plan his study in more effective way. I am excited to see them because I feel that if I have to submit a synopsis in future for some research work and write a bibliography then I will be able to do all that while sitting before my monitor. The time will be saved. With a well defined question in the research activity, the work will be done in one sitting for collecting the material which is required for the research.

However, If I try to check the links, I am showed some pages under the link “some more results for the book”. I am definitely showed some of the pages. However, some of the pages are listed there but with a rider that they are not allowed to be seen there. I am also showed the contents of the book and also the bibliography section along with the index. I can tell from experience that all those pages are gif files which are created on scanning a book. (Please do not sue me in telling that because I know some may have concluded that even I have scanned some books.) But I am not shown the whole book. Yes, they do not show you the whole book. You can check the whole book in a book store and come out without buying any book. Here you are shown the book for some pages as per the query you have put in the search. But you are definitely not shown the whole book. Further, for each page there is warning that it is a copyright material.

However, if you are interested in buying that book, just on the right hand side they have given the links to the publisher or froogle or some other book selling portal. But you can not see the whole book at all. Well I can understand that by changing you query for search, you may see more pages but I have not tried that yet.


Well, what actually has this Print Google done? I think they have done a great job. They have given a practical shape to a great Idea. I think that all the publishers and authors should be dancing on their own heads and shouting for coming good days. They should thank the google people for having done that. They should go and kiss their hand. They should pray for their long life and the company. They should visit their houses and sweep their floors for what they have done to earn fortune for them. (Sweeping floor of someone is an Indian concept.) But No and a BIG NO. They have not done that. I have learned that they are suing the Google for this trouble.

Are they really true businessmen? Have they themselves checked that what is the true picture? Whatsoever is accessible on Print Google, you can get it by visiting any bookstore and library. In some of the libraries, they are even providing the photostat facility. In India, I have found people getting a whole book Xeroxed. I have seen medical students having Xerox copies of established book which cost less by being Xeroxed than to buy a fresh copy. Well, I am revealing a breaking of law in India but it is quite rampant here. Similarly, if you have good rapport with a bookseller, he may allow you to get a book Xeroxed. But whatsoever the google people are doing, it is not going to do any harm. What I see is that it will rather boost their sale. I believe that they are doing a free job for the publishers. They are promoting their sale. But it is strange that the publishers are perturbed and annoyed by their act. It is strange.

On thing is sure that those who are leveling different allegation against the google, have not actually checked what they have done. They are unnecessarily making wrong noises. They should first check what they are doing. They are becoming self appointed sales men. It is really goes to credit of those publishers who have offered them their books. They have made the smartest move of their business activity. They are going to be benefited.

Those who are undertaking a tirade against the Print Google, they better first check what actually they have done.

Jinajik

This is a site by Ian Sinclair.

As per the profile, he is interested in Tantric Buddhism (Vajrayana).

He has given many informative links which can be good source material on the online sources.

Some of the examples are as follows:


Indology

Kaiser Library (Nepal)

Digital Library of India


The site and the links deserve further exploration.

_____
_____

Later Addition:

Ian Sinclair continues to provide links on Vajrayana. As it is emphasised as the aim of the blog and I quote, " A digest of public information on Indian tantric Buddhism; with emphasis on Sanskritic traditions of the Vajranyana in Nepal, South East Asia and beyound", regular addition to the information is made. The blog started in April 2005 and there are similar type of addition for each month. Each information is a substantial information.

Another features which has attracted the eye is that some of the related blogs which are suggested on this blog, prefer to use black background. Is this a symbol or based on their study of Vajranyana? However, the frame of the blog is well made and does not disturb. On the other hand, the appearance of pages is slow, may be because of the use of unicode for writing devanagari script.

Edited on November 17, 2005 local time, 7.35 pm.

Hermeneutica

What is Hermeneut?

I do not know. The dictionary which is lying before me also fails to answer it!!!

What is exegete?

I do not know. The dictionary is no help.

I am just attracted to the one of the posting titled The Historians Reliance upon Testimony . The contents have reference to just those remarks especially the second task as given by R. C. Majumdar, which I have made in my post titled Task of a Historian. A hurried reading attracted me but the two words mentioned above occupied my time. Hence, I am just making a post here and intend to read it again.

Task of a Historian

In the preface of the Volume IX and Volume VI, The History and Culture of the Indian People, the General Editor R. C. Majumdar, has defined the following three tasks of a Historian.

a. That history is no respecter of persons or communities. Hence, the historian has to rise above the fear of being accused by either of them.

b. That its sole aim is to find out the truth by following the canons commonly accepted as sound by all historians.

c. To express truth.

In case of the first task, it has more relevance for the volumes and the context in which it has been enunciated. The General Editor faced the issue of discussing the Hindu Muslim relation during the Mughal period and in the nineteenth and twentieth century and also the relation of Britain as an imperialist power with Indians. The author has claimed that he would be unbiased in his judgement but accepts that he is a human being and there is every possibility that the passions and prejudices would reflect on his analytic faculty. Though it is an argument but somewhere it is justifiable on his part to emphasis that even the British historians have been pleading for the acts of omission and commission of the British Indian government. No doubt, that the volume IX, titled the British Paramountcy and Indian Renaissance turns up as a pamphlet (though spread over too large a number of pages) on bringing before the future generation the injustice and unlawful activities undertaken by the Governor Generals. The other British scholars and especially the Cambridge History have performed the role of justifying the act of the compatriots.

As far as the second task is concerned, I have great reservation about the techniques and the practices adopted by the whole world of historians. I am unable to convince myself till this day that it is fruitful activity to perform to evaluate the written records and then reinterpret the activities of the bygone days in the light of present demands as it is being done. I believe that there is need to establish more well defined techniques, practices and methods on the world level which should be invariably followed and practiced by all the historians. The journalistic works should be clearly identified and excluded from the field of history writing. They have done the biggest harm to this subject. Yes, this is what the historians do all the time. General public may not accept that it is useful to read history or what is the fun in digging out the graves when one is moving towards the future. Well, I have to ask them one thing. Go and ask the people of Croatia, Herzegovina, Kashmir, Pakistan, Taiwan, North and South Korea, or even Hawaii that how far they are being made to live the history. You may just look at Iraq. You may look at the issues before UN concerning TNC (MNC for Asians), the so called the presently most happening and in-things which will take you to the future and tell you that if you can not predict the future than make the future. Somewhere, if you are not able to appreciate the need of historic perception of the present, then you are bound to grope in dark. Make yourself satisfied that you are moving towards future with firm feet but the truth remains that just like an anthropoid you are still blind about you present submit and forget of making a future. At the most, God may save you from tragic accident. But before that historians themselves have to set their research techniques and methodology in order and stop digressing in every new way of putting their findings in form of literature or even movies.

Yes, the last task has always reinstated my faith and hope that there is need to study history. But the question of methodologies being adopted and the absence of the fixed methodology in field of history always make me unstable again and again in my pursuit of history as a faith and vocation.

R. C. Majumdar passed away in 1980. He was M. A. Ph.D, associated with International Commission for a history of the Scientific and Cultural Development of Mankind established by UNESCO, Fellow of Asiatic Society, Fellow of Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, Former Vice-Chancellor of University of Dacca and visiting professor of Indian History, Universities of Chicago and Pennsylvania. He was also member of the Board of Editors established by Government of India in 1953. However, it was disbanded latter when the issue of Modern Indian history was taken up and latter that period was got written by Tara Chand. For a photograph of R. C. Majumdar you may visit the following link and that is http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/itihas/rc_majumdar.htm.

Works of Rabindranath Tagore (From Guttenberg.org)

The Guttenberg.org has nearly 16000 books in digital form readily available on their site. There are many such books, which can be used as original sources in order to write an article.

There are many books which are related to Indian history and Indian people. There are books by Indian authors also.

I desire to read them all on line. However, the collection is so vast that there can be such books which one like to read but due to a big bank of books one may not find time or locate the book which one likes to read first. No doubt, the Guttenberg project has given good index and there is no need of assistance from any one to access those books. However, I am going to collect links of some selected books on this blog so that I may directly use the links whenever I come online. No doubt, such a selection will be guided by my interest and taste.

Hence, I desire to get the list of such selective titles which I want to read and which can be picked as per the desire expressed above.

Here I bring the list of the books by Guruji Rabindranath Tagore. These are the original works of Guruji. Guruji himself translates many of them. However, some of them are translated by others. What can be a better selection than this to begin with!

I have given HTML links wherever they were available at the time when I accessed the Guttenberg.org.


Works of Rabindranath Tagore:

1. Chitra-a play in One act: Chitra – a play in one act: A drama based on Mahabharta
   E-Text No: 2502:
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext01/chitr10.txt
   The Crescent Moon: The Crescent Moon: Poems
   EText No: 6520
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/cmoon10.txt
2. 
   Fruit Gathering: Fruit Gathering: Poems
   EText no: 6522
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/fruit10h.htm
   
3. The Fugitive: The Fugitive: Poems
   EText no:7971
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext05/tfgtv10.txt
   
4. The Gardner: The Gardner : Lyrics which also form the part of Gitanjali
   EText No:6686
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/thgnr10.txt
   
5. Gitanjali: Gitanjali: Poems for which Guruji was given Noble Prize in Literature: The Gitanjali or 'song offerings' by Rabindranath Tagore (1861--1941), Nobel prize for literature 1913, with an introduction by William B. Yeats (1865--1939), Nobel prize for literature 1923. First published in 1913. (Quoted from Gutenberg site.)
   EText No: 7164
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/gitnj10.txt
   
6. Glimpses of Bengal Selected letters of Sir Rabindranath Tagore : Glimpses of Bengal Selected letters of Sir Rabindranath Tagore
   EText No: 7951
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext05/7gbng10.txt
   
7. The Home and the World : The Home and the World
   EText No:7166
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/7wrld10.txt
   
8. The Hungary Stone and other Stories: (It contains the famous Kabuliwala Story.): The Hungary Stone and other Stories
   EText No: 2518
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext01/hngst10.txt
   
9. The King of Dark Chambers : The King of Dark Chambers: A Play
   EText No:6521
   Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/kdkch10h.htm
   
10. The Post Office: The Post Office : A Complete Drama
    EText No:6523
    Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/kdkch10h.htm
    
11. Sadhana:The Realization of Life: Sadhana:The Realization of Life
    EText No:6842
    Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/sdhna10.txt
    
12. Songs of Kabir: Songs of Kabir
    EText No:6519
    Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/kabir10.txt
    
13. Stray Birds: Stray Birds
    EText No:6524
    Link: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/kabir10.txt