PM, Sonia condole Bipan Chandra's death

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and many others condoled the death of noted historian Bipan Chandra Saturday.

"The prime minister expresses grief on the passing away of noted historian Bipan Chandra. He extends his condolences to Chandra's family," said a post on the prime minister's official Twitter handle.

Sonia Gandhi described the 86-year-old as "an erudite chronicler of modern Indian history and the nation's struggle for independence."

Sonia Gandhi said Chandra's books left a lasting imprint on the minds of millions of students in their formative years, a statement from her office said.

"He (Chandra) played a pioneering role as a teacher, scholar and researcher, and mentored many a future historians and will be deeply missed," Sonia Gandhi said in her condolence message.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said that Chandra's "books introduced many generations of students to the Indian national movement and the freedom struggle".

"My prayers are with his family and loved ones," he said.

Chandra died in his sleep Saturday morning at his home in Gurgaon near the national capital.

The former professor of history was considered to be an authority on Mahatma Gandhi.

He had authored several books like "The Making of Modern India: From Marx to Gandhi", "History of Modern India" and "The Rise and Growth of Economic Nationalism in India".

He was also the former chairman of the National Book Trust.

Congress leader Naveen Jindal mourned his death and tweeted: "Sad to hear about the passing away of noted historian Bipan Chandra. May his soul rest in peace."

Chiki Sarkar, publisher at Penguin Books India, said: "He was one of our (Penguin India's) most respected authors whose books on Indian history have been read by generations of readers. We mourn his passing."

Journalist Shekhar Gupta tweeted: "Study of Indian history contentious, with Bipan Chandra demise debate poorer, our lack of intellectual depth, width in liberal arts acute." - IANS