The principal theme of discussion at this Annual Conference will be : Business Communities in India . Agriculture had always been at the core of Indian economy, and business epitomizing trade and commerce had always provided confidence to the core. Ports were never in dearth in India , for oceans skirted its territory on three sides. Thatta, Lahori Bandar, Surat, Broach, Cambay, Davol, Goa, Calicut, Cochin, Tamralipta, Saptagram, Hughli, Chattagram were important ports that served as the outlet of India 's surging trade in the middle ages. In the colonial age Calcutta , Bombay and Madras emerged. Surat , Hughli, Cambay, Masulipatam sank. With all these ports India participated in the Asiatic theatre of the global trade. Moraland informs us that in the Mughal age the Indian merchants could understand and balance between the processes of demand and supply on a global scale. Internal trade flourished to support its sea-bound commerce. Delhi , Agra , Lahore , Multan , Patna , Gaur, Dhaka, Rajmahal, Ahmedabad, Surat , Cambay etc. were great centers for internal trade. History records the roaming trade of the Banjaras. But the sea trade was dominated by the Gujaratis and Parsis in Western India, the Chettiars of South India and the Seths and Basaks and other baniks of Bengal . In the west the tower of the merchants was one Birji or Saharji Bora. In the East Chand Saudagar became the hero of legends. Moving on the crest of a process called internal migrations the Marwaris showed the greatest acuman for business enterprises. The Jagat Seths of Bengal for many years represented the community's career of success at its height. In their hey days the Gujaratis took the sea in great confidence. Their competitors were the Arab merchants first, then the Portuguese and finally the English. Over the unguarded seaboards penetrated the vessels of European merchants. With their command over modern technology, skill, organization and capital they made their presence paramount in the domain of Indian trade. Yet they had to accept Indian collaboration. Out of this collaboration emerged the Parsis, entrepreneurial pioneers of Indian industry. In the east the Seths, Basaks and a set of people called the banians flourished and a new vista of comprador partnership tool its root in Indian soil. The trade pattern in India changed. The Indians recoded from their leading positions and colonial trade now took the form of drain.

The theme is a multi-faceted and broad-based concept. Delegates are expected to keep in mind the aforesaid guideline as also be avoid controversial matters hurting sentiments of others.

We would request you to be present with us at the Conference and present a paper on any aspect of either of these two themes. The title of the paper may kindly be communicated to us by 1 st October, 2005. The full paper and its one-page summary must teach the Institute by 31 st October, 2004. The one-page summary of the paper should also be sent to the host organization by the same date. Delegates should avoid the practice of submitting the papers during the sessions of the Conference. Such papers will not be accepted under any circumstances. The full paper with bibliographical references should not exceed 20 types (double spaced) foolscap pages. The presentation of a paper at the Conference should not take more than 15-20 minutes. Delegates are expected to help the organizers to maintain the time-schedule. Please note that our Institute always gives sufficient and reasonable time to the delegates to present their papers.

We are also happy to state that a two-day national seminar will be held at Mumbai under the auspices of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's College, Munshi Nagar, Andheri (West), Mumbai -58 on 3 rd and 4 th December, 2005. As a part of this celebration the college has generously offered to host the seminar. The theme of the proposed seminar will be : Freedom Struggle in India with special reference to Maharashtra . Delegates who will attend the conference are requested to kindly participate also in the Seminar on payment of a registration fee and contact Dr. Mangala B. Purandare, Head of the Department of History, and Vice-Principal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Vollege, Munshi Nagar, Andheri (West), Mumbai - 400 058 (Tel. No. :- Office : 022(STD) 56464929, Res. 022(STD) 26842141) who will write to you about participation in the Seminar.

Please fill in the enclosed form and return the same to us, if you wish to attend the conference and national seminar, by 1sr October, 2005. You are requested to book your return ticket in advance, because it may not be possible for the Local organizers to arrange for railway reservation for your return journey.

You will receive a letter of invitation for the Conference from the Local Secretary, Dr. Usha R. Vijailakshmi, Head of the Department of History, Patkar and Varde College, S.V.Road, Goregaon (West), Mumbai - 400 062 (Phone No. :- 022(STD) 28723731, 28721875, Res. 022(STD) 24121203) giving detailed information about lodging, food, registration fee, sight seeing arrangement (if any) and other related matters.