Kalyan Kumar Sarkar’s Perception on Early India and Cambodia: Unveiling A New Source In The Historiography of India - South-East Asia Interaction

Abstract

This article tries to analyze the writings of Kalyan Kumar Sarkar regarding early India's interaction with Cambodia thus intending to highlight over an intriguing aspect of India's historiography. Emerged as a significant part of Indian cultural nationalism, this historiography aims to focus on India's cultural contribution to the neighbouring countries. Books and articles written by the author under discussion, show how they successfully endorsed such a concept of 'Indianization' where India's inclusive impact on Cambodia, like many other South-East Asian countries, led her to form a part of 'Greater India' or extended India. Various scholars have made efforts to discuss the contributions of eminent historians who were part of this academic endeavor. But the discourse also shows active academic participation from scholars whose writings have failed to get the necessary attention from researchers. Study of these sources is important as they provide a comprehensive understanding of the relevant historiography. My article thus attempts to discuss Kalyan Sarkar's writings and examines their limitations and significance- how far they showed biasness towards Indian impact yet acknowledged the local characters. A comprehensive discussion is attempted to understand the author's ability to interpret sources and rational analytical framework present in his writings.