Bengali Almanac: An Uncharted Area of Indian Mass Communication

Author : Dr Nilay Kumar Saha Specifications ISBN : 9788195331222 Year : 2022 Language : English Binding : Hardbound Price: Rs 1500 Publisher: Indian Council of Historical Research About the book "Benaglai Almanac" was handwritten on palm leaf at the early stage of civilization. The introduction of printing technology and the growing demand of almanac in the society ushered in a new route of investment for the investors. The rich men of the then society took the opportunity and the number of printed Bengali almanac increased rapidly. To be precise, it was the competitive attitude to reach out to the largest possible market among the publishers of Bengali almanac which prompted them to incorporate information from diverse fields along with the basic content in their publications. For a period of two hundred years the remarkable contributions of te publishers of Bengali almanac provide a rich repository of information relating to almost all aspects of human civilization along with many remarkable and interesting advertisements. But unfortunately these immensely useful materials pertaining to Indian communication system have not yet been explored properly. Such extremely important components remained ignored in writing the history of Indian mass communication. The history of Indian mass communication system thus incomplete and even unreliable. The present work is a unique attempt to explore the glorious role of Bengali almanc in shaping the very basis the Indian mass communication system which so far remained grossly neglected. Expert opinon Dr. Nilay Kumar Saha has completed this important study as part of the Indian Council of Historical Reserach "Senior Academic Fellowship" scheme. This volume comprising 21 chapters covers almost all areas of civil society that were published in different Bengali almanac either in the form of information or in the form of an advertisement. Dr. Saha's hard work and sound research methodolody hade made a major contribution. The ICHR stands well rewarded with regard to having supported the study as part of its Senor Fellowship programme. I congratulate Dr. Saha for this very good publication.