Each essay in this book is a self-contained piece. Each has its own setting. Each defines implicitly its own perception of the problem it deals with. A lengthy introduction to this collection of essays seems, therefore, unnecessary. Most of these essays are pieces written on particular themes. Some of the topics the historians will always be re-examining. The facts highlighted in the essays are selective and illustrative rather than exhaustive. They are intended primarily for the inquiring reader rather than for the scholar.
The essays represent distinctly a companion volume to my book, Indo-Nepal Trade in the Nineteenth Century (Calcutta, Firma KLM, 1977). I have attempted to utilize as best as I could the primary sources culled from archival materials. Some of my research papers already published in the Calcutta Historical Journal and the Proceeding of the Indian History Congress, added with new materials and revised in the light of suggestions offered by competent scholars, have been incorporated in this collection of essays. My grateful thanks go to the editors of the aforesaid journals and the proceeding volumes for the kind encouragement they extended to me.
I am indebted to late Professor Narendra Krishna Sinha, who had urged me to explore the various aspects of Indo-Nepal trade at the grass root level. Carlo Valdettaro, an Italian scholar well versed in Nepalese numismatics, reminded me of the outstanding value of trade routes. Mr. Madhav R. Bhandari, formerly Consul-General, Royal Nepalese Consulate General in Calcutta, graciously expressed that my studies should "unveil the firm historical foundation in which the totality of relations between Nepal and India is deeply rooted." Mr. M.K. Bhattarai, now First Secretary, Royal Nepalese Embassy, New Delhi, always takes helpful, benign and encouraging interest in my research works. I am grateful to all of them.
I acknowledge my debt to the writings of the veterans in the Department of History, University of Calcutta, as dependable and illuminating guides. They furnish expository models of economic history. I feel inspired by the dedication of the younger historians of our department to the cause of historical research and also by their enthusiasm for this project. I am grateful to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla - 171005, for the encouragement and support given to me to complete some of the writings included in this book. I am indebted to KP Bagchi & Co. for their deep and loving interest in the publication of this work.
I am fully conscious that my labours of study are not definitive. I hope that they may furnish some suggestions to other historians who will further explore the field and help to achieve a fuller appreciation of Indo-Nepal relations.
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