Tag: Archive of historical documents

Communist Party of India’s resolution on Pakistan and National Unity, September 1942

Pakistan and National Unity is an important position paper of the Communist Party of India, and a far-reaching text in the history of the Indian communist movement. The resolution dated September 19, 1942 contains an outline of the CPI’s support for what it called the ‘just essence of the Pakistan demand’; and the Report by Gangadhar… Read More Communist Party of India’s resolution on Pakistan and National Unity, September 1942

Dilip

Ideas of India Archive

(First posted November 29, 2019) NB: This is a magnificient contribution to Indian historiography. Rahul Sagar and his collaborators deserve the thanks of the Indian public and indeed of all those interested in an honest exploration of the past. DS Starting in the early nineteenth century, ambitious Indians began flocking to newly-founded schools and colleges offering instruction… Read More Ideas of India Archive

Dilip

Harriet Sherwood: Unsealing of Vatican archives will finally reveal truth about ‘Hitler’s pope’

(First posted March 1, 2020) New light will be shed on one of the most controversial periods of Vatican history on Monday when the archives on Pope Pius XII, accused by critics of being a Nazi sympathiser are unsealed. A year after Pope Francis announced the move, saying “the church isn’t afraid of history”, the documents from Pius XII’s… Read More Harriet Sherwood: Unsealing of Vatican archives will finally reveal truth about ‘Hitler’s pope’

Dilip

Hari Vasudevan and the Soviet Archives : A Personal Remembrance. By Sobhanlal Datta Gupta

NB: Hari Vasudevan passed away on May 10, 2020, aged 68. A great scholar and wonderful man, he was widely respected and loved. He will be mourned and missed by friends and students. RIP, Hari Hari Vasudevan and the Soviet Archives : A Personal RemembranceIt was May, 1995, exactly 25 years ago. Hari Vasudevan (Calcutta University), Purabi… Read More Hari Vasudevan and the Soviet Archives : A Personal Remembrance. By Sobhanlal Datta Gupta

Dilip

Rajendra Prasad’s Speech, made hours before India’s Independence

Rajendra Prasad, the first president of India, gave this speech on August 14, 1947, just before India achieved independence. Because his thoughts on non-violence, truth and tolerance continue to have an enduring relevance today.    At this crucial juncture in our history, when after years and years of struggle, we are finally going to hold the… Read More Rajendra Prasad’s Speech, made hours before India’s Independence

Dilip

Archive amassed by Nazis sheds light on Masonic history

Initially tolerated by the Nazis, Freemasons became the subject of regime conspiracy theories in the 1930s, seen as liberal intellectuals whose secretive circles could become centres of opposition. Curators combing through a vast historic archive of Freemasonry in Europe amassed by the Nazis in their wartime anti-Masonic purge say they believe there are still secrets… Read More Archive amassed by Nazis sheds light on Masonic history

Dilip

Albert Camus's lecture 'The Human Crisis', New York, March 1946. 'No cause justifies the murder of innocents'

The morning after a great historical crisis, you feel as sad and sick as after a heavy night. But there is no aspirin for historical hangovers .. The world is no longer divided into the just or unjust, but into masters and slaves. He who is right is he who enslaves. Albert Camus    La crise… Read More Albert Camus's lecture 'The Human Crisis', New York, March 1946. 'No cause justifies the murder of innocents'

Dilip