Sumit Sarkar Dies At 87

Sumit Sarkar, a renowned historian, has died at the age of 87 due to age-related ailments at his Delhi residence. He is survived by his wife, historian Tanika Sarkar, and son Aditya Sarkar, an associate professor of South Asian History at the University of Warwick.

Sarkar was born in 1939 to historian Sushobhan Sarkar and studied History at Presidency College, Calcutta, and the University of Calcutta. He went on to teach at the University of Calcutta and the University of Burdwan before becoming a professor of history at the University of Delhi.

Sarkar's work focused on examining colonialism, nationalism, and the freedom movement through the experiences of different social groups, classes, and popular movements. He was a Marxist historian known for his studies of the Swadeshi movement and for challenging conventional, leader-centred accounts of Indian nationalism.

Some of his most notable works include 'The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal', 'Modern India: 1885–1947', and 'Writing Social History'. Sarkar was also one of the founding members of the Subaltern Studies Collective, but later began to critique it.

In 2003, Sarkar received the Sarit Chatterjee Memorial Award for his work on the Indian freedom movement. The following year, he was awarded the Rabindra Puraskar for his book 'Writing Social History', which he returned in 2007 in protest against the treatment of farmers by the CPI(M) led Left Front government in West Bengal.

Tributes have poured in from historians and readers alike, remembering Sarkar's contributions to modern Indian history. His last rites are likely to be performed on Saturday, with the exact date and time to be announced later.

Sarkar's passing has been met with an outpouring of grief from the academic community, with many remembering his kindness and his immeasurable contribution to the field of history. Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha remembered Sarkar for his understanding of Gandhi, while historian G Arunima posted a tribute on social media, calling him the 'kindest of human beings'.

Sarkar's legacy will continue to be felt in the field of history, and his work will remain an important part of India's intellectual heritage. His passing is a loss not only for the academic community but also for the country as a whole.

The news of Sarkar's death has sparked a wave of nostalgia among those who knew him and his work. As a historian, he will be remembered for his groundbreaking research and his ability to challenge conventional narratives. His work will continue to inspire future generations of historians and scholars.

In the coming days, the academic community will come together to pay tribute to Sarkar's life and work. His contributions to the field of history will be remembered and celebrated, and his legacy will continue to shape our understanding of India's past.

Sarkar's death is a reminder of the importance of preserving our intellectual heritage and honoring the contributions of scholars who have shaped our understanding of the world. His work will continue to be studied and appreciated for years to come, and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him.