Department of History- Annual Inter-College Student Conference Historia
The annual flagship Student Conference Historia, jointly organized by the Department of History and the History Society of Loreto College, unfolded this year on 21 November under the evocative theme "Tracing the Echoes of Ancient India." The programme sought to bring together scholarship, intellectual exchange, and youthful academic curiosity through a carefully curated sequence of sessions.
The programme commenced with the President of the History Society extending a warm welcome to all dignitaries, faculty members and participants who had assembled to engage in the historical exploration of ancient India. The lighting of the lamp was followed by an opening song and dance presentation by the students of Loreto College.The conceptual framework of the event was then articulated by the Head of the Department, Dr. Krishnokoli Hazra, who traced the legacy of Historia since its inception in 2017 and formally introduced the vision, structure, and intellectual purpose of the event.
The highlight of Historia 2025 was undoubtedly the keynote address delivered by Professor Ranabir Chakravarti of Jawaharlal Nehru University, one of India’s foremost scholars of ancient Indian history. His academic contributions, ranging from socio-economic history to ancient Indian trade to oceanic studies, have long been held in admiration by faculty and students alike. He spoke on the etymological and philosophical meaning of Historia, linking it to Herodotus, the "Father of History," and the traditions of inquiry and storytelling that shaped ancient historiographical practices. From there, he led the audience on a vivid journey across regions and epochs-beginning with the cultural and maritime worlds of Persia, Turkey, and the wider Indian Ocean. He challenged the long-held idea of the sea as a polluted and forbidden space, shaped by caste anxieties about Kala Pani, and contrasted it with compelling counter-evidence from his own research showing that Indians frequently crossed oceans, establishing links with distant trading communities and hinterlands.
The paper presentation segment was chaired by the distinguished scholar Dr. Aparna Bandyopadhyay, Associate Professor of History at Diamond Harbour Women's University. The papers presented covered an eclectic range of themes from classical political texts and Harappan water systems to women’s traditions and and the symbolic world of proto-Indus culture.
The next segment was the high-energy debate moderated by Dr. Kaushik Ghosh with three eminent judges, Professor Sarvani Gooptu, Dr. Susmita Mukherjee and Ms Natasha Aziz. The motion of the debate was "The burden of the Ancient Past should not be carried into the Present". Students from Jadavpur University, Presidency University, Loreto College, and Ashutosh College presented strong arguments both for and against the motion.The judges commended students for engaging critically with a nuanced and sensitive historical question and appreciated their maturity in articulating contrasting viewpoints with civility. The programme concluded with a thoughtful Vote of Thanks delivered by Treasurer, of the History Society.
Historia 2025 provided students with the opportunity to engage in critical thinking, advanced research writing, public speaking, and academic networking. It encouraged interdisciplinary perspectives, strengthened scholarly confidence, and fostered active participation in the wider academic community.
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