Gurjap Singh, London School of Economics
To our readers,
It is with a deep sense of responsibility and earnest anticipation that I place before the learned reader the first number of the Economic & Political History Review. The founding of this journal arises from the conviction that the economic and political histories of India and South Asia deserve systematic and sustained scholarly attention, and that such inquiry should be pursued with the utmost care for accuracy, clarity, and balance.
The region’s past, extending from the earliest records of commerce and administration to the present day, offers abundant material for scholarly reflection. The arrangements of revenue and land tenure, the development of internal and maritime trade, the rise and transformation of industrial enterprise, the evolution of political institutions, and the conditions of labor and employment require careful examination. We are particularly mindful that the history of labour is not solely a matter of wages and workplaces, but is inseparable from questions of gender, family, and community. The participation of women in agricultural, industrial, and informal sectors, and the influence of gender norms upon access to markets and opportunities, are vital components of any full account of the region’s economic and political life.
The Review is designed to serve as a forum where those engaged in such inquiries may present the fruits of their labour. Contributions based on original research, whether derived from official archives, private collections, or observation in the field, will be cordially received. We shall accord equal place to studies employing statistical analysis, narrative exposition, or comparative method, provided always that their conclusions rest upon sound and sufficient evidence. It is our expectation that authors will approach their task with the restraint, precision, and discernment which mark the best traditions of scholarship.
The Review will uphold the principle that the advancement of knowledge depends upon the conscientious use of sources and the fair acknowledgment of differing interpretations. We invite contributors to engage in frank yet courteous debate, for it is through such exchange that the discipline is strengthened. In all matters, accuracy, transparency, and intellectual generosity shall be our guiding values.
It is our earnest hope that the Economic & Political History Review may become a meeting place for careful scholarship, informed debate, and the steady enlargement of historical understanding. By encouraging work that bridges economic and political analysis, and that acknowledges the diversity of experiences within the region, we trust the Review will, in time, make a modest but enduring contribution to the study of South Asia’s past.
Yours Faithfully,
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Economic & Political History Review (EPHR)