Department of History, Panjab University organized “Hari Ram Gupta Memorial Lecture” 

Chandigarh, March 18, 2024: Department of History, Panjab University organized “Hari Ram Gupta Memorial Lecture” on Monday in Gandhi Bhawan, Panjab University. The event began with the welcome note by Prof. Anju Suri followed by the floral and formal welcome of the guests by Dr. Jasbir Singh, Chairperson, Department of History.

Prof. Anju Suri introduced the theme of the lecture and presented a brief profile of Professor Hari Ram Gupta (1902-1992), a prominent historian and the founder of the Department of History in Panjab University. Prof. Gupta had won various prestigious national and international awards for his academic achievements.Dr. Jasbir Singh, Chairperson, Department of History offered brief introductions of the guests- Professor Sukhdev Singh Sohal and Professor B. S. Ghuman.

The event was followed by the lecture by Prof. Sukhdev Sing Sohal on the theme “Political Economy of the Annexation of the Punjab (1849).” He threw light on the economic changes due to change in war strategies in the post-Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab. Further, he explored the British Imperial Project and its relation with and impact on Punjab during 1830-46 CE. He discussed various subthemes like ‘Ascendency of the British Empire’, The First British Punjab War (1845-46) and Politica-Economic Squeeze’, ‘Lord Dalhousie, Annexation and Imperial Incorporation of the Punjab’ etc.

The presidential remark was given by Prof. B. S. Ghuman. He thanked the organizer for invitation and conveyed sincere gratitude to Professor Hari Ram Gupta. Prof. Ghuman appreciated the presentation for Inter-disciplinary approach, hard labor, collecting facts and thought provoking lecture of the speaker. The guests were then honored with token with appreciation and gratitude with mementos and shawls. Dr. Ashish delivered the formal vote of thanks. Prof. I. D. Gaur, Prof. Sheena Pall, Prof. Kuldeep Singh and other teachers from various departments witnessed the event. The event was witnessed by approximately 100 teachers and students who came from various departments and other colleges.