Conference on Socio-economic History and Transformation of Andhra

Our Department will be hosting a conference titled “Socio-economic History & Transformation of Andhra". We believe this conference is rather unique as we hope to bring together serious academicians, minus those who thrive by plagiarisng others works, to discuss various important issues of historical as well as contemporary relevance. The aim of the conference is to engage serious researchers on issues such as socio-economic history, economic sociology and cultural studies. We think such an intellectual engagement is the first of its kind in the City of Vijayawada.

Grounding the Conference
A cursory glance at the history of the Madras Presidency would suggest that the construction of the anicuts over the rivers Godavari and Krishna transformed this drought prone part of Andhra region of the Madras Presidency into a prosperous and fertile area. This economic transformation and its attendant social impact on the region deserves far greater attention than have been given in economic and social history. The consequences changed the social, economic and political foundations of the Colonial and postcolonial life. This conference attempts to grapple with the factors that caused this transformation and the social forces that this economic change unleashed need to be analysed in great depth. It has led to the rise of the region comprising the modern day districts of Krishna, Guntur, East and West Godavari into the nerve centre of economic, political and social movements. Certain aspects of the economic and social developments seem to have had not merely regional but national importance.

Main Objectives of the Conference
The conference will be divided into four major sessions. They are (1) Historiography (2) Economic Transformation (3) Socio-cultural Transformation and (4) Trade, Commerce and Urbanisation.

The main objectives of the Conference may include:
1. To critically re-apprise the historiography of the region;
2. To understand the socio-economic changes in the region between 1850 – 1947 in a historical perspective;
3. To critically understand the nature and dynamics of the major economic change in the aftermath of the construction of the Anicuts by the British
4. To contextualise the rise of trade & commerce in the region during the period 1850 – 1947 ;
5. To outline the major social and cultural consequences of the economic transformation of the region;
6. To understand the economic sociology of the region since 1947.

This conference is part funded by ICHR and is tentatively scheduled to be held in the last week of August 2007. Papers will be presented by only a select group of serious researchers or students of ALC History Department. However, we welcome participation by the general populace. Interested participants may contact us for further information.