Historian Sumit Sarkar, Key Voice Of Modern History, Dies At 87

Renowned historian Sumit Sarkar has passed away at the age of 87, succumbing to age-related ailments in his Delhi residence. His wife, Tanika Sarkar, and son, Aditya Sarkar, are among those who mourn his loss. Born in 1939, Sarkar studied at Presidency College, Calcutta, and the University of Calcutta. He embarked on his teaching career as a lecturer at the University of Calcutta and later as a reader at the University of Burdwan, eventually settling at the University of Delhi.

His groundbreaking works, such as "The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal," "Modern India: 1885–1947," and "Writing Social History," cemented his reputation as an authoritative scholar. A Marxist historian, Sarkar was a founding member of the Subaltern Studies Collective but later critiqued it. He received prestigious awards, including the Sarit Chatterjee Memorial Award and the Rabindra Puraskar.

Sarkar's memory is being honored by a deluge of tributes from fellow historians, scholars, and public figures who lauded his contributions to understanding India's freedom struggle and the struggles of ordinary people.