Renowned Indian historian and writer Dr Bipan Chandra, author of India’s Struggle for Independence and India Since Independence, has passed away.

Dr Chandra was born in Kangra Valley and completed his education from Stanford University in California and the University of Delhi. He worked as a Lecturer and then Reader at Hindu College, Delhi before becoming Professor of History at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.  He was a member of the university grants commission and was appointed Sectional President of the Indian History Congress.

He was appointed Chairman of the National Book Trust, New Delhi in 2004 and held the post until 2012.

A widely published author, Chandra was considered to be one of the foremost scholars on Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian independence movement, and was an expert on the economic and political history of modern India.  He was first published by Penguin over two decades ago and his works, India’s Struggle for Independence and India Since Independence, have remained perennial bestsellers ever since.

Chiki Sarkar, Publisher at Penguin Books India said in tribute, “Bipan Chandra was one of Penguin India’s most respected authors and whose books on Indian history have been read by generations of readers. We mourn his passing”