The third edition of the Prof Surendra Gopal memorial lecture was held at the Patna Museum auditorium on Wednesday, commemorating the 90th birth anniversary of the eminent historian. The event saw participation from noted academicians, jurists, doctors, and public figures, with a keynote lecture delivered by Sunita Sharma on the historical evolution of the Indian caste system.
Keynote Lecture on Caste System
Sharma, former sectional president of the Indian History Congress and a noted scholar of gender studies, examined the caste system through the lens of changing historical perspectives. She emphasized the need for rigorous and objective historical inquiry to understand the complexities of India's social structure and the evolution of caste over centuries.
Presidential Address
The session was presided over by Bijoy Kumar Choudhary, former director of the KP Jayaswal Research Institute and the Bihar Heritage Development Society. In his address, Choudhary referred to his readings of the Vedas while discussing the origins and evolution of the caste system. He argued that different sections of Indian society emerged from a common lineage.
About Prof Surendra Gopal
The memorial lecture series has been instituted in honor of Prof Surendra Gopal (1936-2022), regarded as one of Bihar's most distinguished historians. He served in the history department of Patna University from 1958 to 1996 and was closely associated with Patna College both as a student and teacher. During his long academic career, Gopal earned international recognition for his scholarship. He authored eight books and more than 100 research papers, drawing extensively from historical sources in English, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Russian. His work is widely regarded as a significant contribution to modern Indian historiography.
Dignitaries Present
Historian and former Mithila University teacher Ratneshwar Mishra attended the program as the chief guest, while eminent surgeon Dr. Abdul Ahmad Hai was the guest of honor. Several eminent personalities from different fields were also present at the event.
Organizers
The lecture was organized by Dr. Kusum Kapoor, wife of the late historian, while the proceedings were conducted by Dr. Pramila Modi, a close associate of the Gopal family.
