AT a moment when the ideals and events of our national movement seem to be fading from public memory, it is gratifying, indeed, that there should be celebrations in this country of the centenary of one of the most remarkable episodes of modern Indian history, the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917.Ever since Plessey (1757) British rule had meant a constant exploitation of India, the main burden of which had fallen on its peasants, artisans and the labouring poor.

THE Indian History Congress met at Malda, West Bengal, for its three-day 76th annual session from December 27-29,  2015, under the aegis of the Gour-Banga University. About 1200 delegates from all over the country attended the session.Professor K Paddayya, eminent archaeologist, took over as general president for the ensuing year, and delivered his presidential address at the inaugural session on December 27. Professor Paddayya is currently Professor Emeritus at the Deccan College University (Pune), the Mecca of Indian archaeologists, of which he has also been the director.

The Indian History Congress held its 75th (Platinum Jubilee) session on December 28-30, 2014 at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Over 1,500 delegates from all parts of India attended the session, and, as per the printed list of papers, 930 papers were submitted for presentation at its six major sections.                The session was inaugurated on  December 28 by Hamid Ansari, vice president of India, who, by reference to major perceptions of historiography as a craft, enjoined Indian historians to maintain both rigour and objectivity in their use of historical evidence.