Subhoranjan Dasgupta

Illustrious historian Romila Thapar’s monumental memoir, Just Being, explores many subjects: her childhood days in Lahore, exciting archaeological expeditions, enunciation of the historiography she has followed, etc. But what perhaps stands out in this fascinating book is her sustained confrontation with Hindutva, which is still continuing unabated.

Some names act as a spark—for example, Ila Mitra—along with those of Rosa Luxemburg, Pritilata Wadedder, and Matangini Hazra—who is much better known and acclaimed as ‘Nachole-er Rani-ma’ (Queen Mother of Nachole).