University Library, University of North Bengal

A note from the editor desk is a routine practice in an academic exercise of this kind. Hence a few words. The Department of History of North Bengal University, is happy to publish the second volume of the journal 'Karatoya '. I take the occassion to express my gratitude to our Honourable Vice-chancellor, Professor A. Basumajumdar for extending the help necessary for its publication. I am indebted to the Depa^rtmental Head, Smt. A. Bagchifor the enthusiasm and keen interest she took in every stage of its publication.

I am grateful to all my colleagues for their valuable contributions to this journal. My special thanks to my ex-colleagues Prof M. Mukhopadhay and Prof M. Bhattacharya for enhancing and enriching it through their articles.

I extend my thanks to Sri Somnath Choudhury and the staff of North Bengal University Press for printing it. Thanks also to Dr. D. K. Sarkar, Registrar of North Bengal Universityfor publishing it and to Sri P. K. Ghosh, Finance Officer of the University for his kind cooperation. Thanks to Sri A. Saha of Suvam Printer, Siliguri too.

A wide range of themes, from the ancient to modern Indian history, spans the content of this journal. Keeping in mind the rich Indian heritage of art and paintings Prof M. Mukherjee has given a vivid account of some aspects of manuscript paintings of Eastern India. The illustration have enhanced the cultural content of the essay. Dr. B. Sarkar 's article covers an interesting detail of Sunga art highlighting some terrcotta specimens from Bengal. Prof M. Bhattacharya's reading and analysis of a stone plaque discovered from Gangarampur, South Dinajpur is revealing in the light of its association with a common and popular folk tale from the Panchatantra.

Sri. A. Bagchi's essay on 'Hastishastra' analyses one of the many branches of science in ancient India. She points out the importance of this animal in Indian history and stresses on the scientific study that revolved round its behaviour. Colourful replicas of paintings, used as sources, have added to the beauty of the essay.

Moving on to the modern period we come across Prof R. Roy Sanyal's writing on the histriography of 1857. She gives a graphic view of the volumes of litercture that have been published on this great event.

Prof C. Chakraborty's article draws our attention to North Bengal. It focuses on the attempts made by the British government to culturally penetrate the native state through education. Higher education was just a part of the whole story.

The essay by Kaushik Bandopadhya, to quote his own words "is a critical yet realistic apprisal of Gandhi 's role in politics and society of South Africa ". This thought provoking article reveals certain limitations of Gandhi's South African policy serving the interest of the Indians only and that too of the upper class; The Black did not figure in his politics.

The partition of Midnapur by S. Das, highlights an important but almost forgotten chapter in the history of the district.

Any lapse inadvertently made is regretted.