Historians of repute from across the World have started arriving here to attend the 74th session of Indian History Congress.
Researchers, scholars and academicians would present at least 1200 papers during the three-day long IHC session scheduled to begin here at Ravenshaw University tomorrow.
The papers would be presented on Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India, Countries other than India, Archaeology and Contemporary India (after 1947).
While over 1500 delegates (all members of IHC) have expressed their desire to participate in the 74th session of IHC, six of these delegates are coming from outside India, informed the vice chancellor of Ravenshaw University Prof B C Tripathy.
Delegates from Germany, Japan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal and Sri Lanka are attending the session.
Prof Tripathy said the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would inaugurate the session tomorrow morning in presence of IHC President Prof Indu Banga.
The session would also have two symposia namely Aligarh panel and Odisha panel. While the Aligarh panel would discuss on Forms of Labour in Indian History, the Odisha panel would discuss on History and Present: Rethinking Society, State and Region in Odisha.
But the highlight of the IHC session in Cuttack would be the special lecture to be delivered by renowned historian Prof Romila Thaper who will speak on historical tradition in early North India.
Besides, the session at Ravenshaw University would also showcase archaeological and archival exhibitions on the occasion. The exhibitions would be 'Journey of Girmatya', 'Jagannath Temple in 19th century records, Budhhist heritage of Odisha and recent excavation carried by Odishan Institute of Maritime and Southeast Asian Studies.
The University is spending Rs one crore by hosting the IHC session, which is being held in the State for the third time. The campus of Ravenshaw University is playing host to IHC session for the second time after it successfully hosted the 12th session of IHC way back in 1949.
