Subrata Chattopadhyay Banerjee - The Development of Aryan Invasion Theory in India: A Critique of Nineteenth-Century Social Constructionism

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This book grew out of the doctoral studies that I had the privilege to undertake at RWTH Aachen.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my advisor Prof. Dr. phil. Drs. h.c. Armin Heinen, Chair of Modern and Contemporary History, RWTH Aachen University, Germany, for providing me with the opportunity to study the engrossing topic. His support and guidance made the doctoral studies a fruitful and enjoyable journey. He took very active interest in my work and has always remained available to advise me. He always gave me freedom in my research work and motivated me by his encouraging words. Even when I had to relocate to Singapore from Germany, Prof. Heinen was always responding to my queries by e-mail. I am very grateful for his patience, motivation, enthusiasm and immense knowledge. He carefully read my text, asked inspiring questions and assisted me with his great skills in structuring the research. I appreciate all of his contributions of time and ideas to make my doctoral journey productive and stimulating.

My regards to my parents, especially my mother Ruma Banerjee who continues to learn, grow and develop and who has been a source of encouragement and inspiration throughout my life. You both Maa and Baba (Dhiraj Banerjee), throughout my life, have actively supported me in my determination to find and realize my potential from my childhood and to make a meaningful contribution to the world.

To my loving son Debargho Chattopadhyay I would like to express my thanks for being such a good son, who always cheered me up.

I would like to thank my little sister Suchismita Banerjee for her encouragements throughout the journey of my research.

I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Gita Dharampal-Frick, Head, Department of History, South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University for letting me know in first place about the book of Aryans and British India by Thomas R. Trautmann and other important works being done in the area close to my research. These inputs certainly shaped my perspective on the topic of my research.

I would like to thank Mr. Ananda Bhattacharya, librarian of Writers Building Kolkata, India, for suggesting me some key studies on Brahmo Samaj India, which helped immensely to develop the chapter Brahmo Samaj as an Actor in the Dissemination of Aryan Invasion Theory (AIT) in India. I would like to thank Prof. Amal Sankar Bandyopadhyay, faculty from my undergraduate college in India, for suggesting helpful references relevant to my research and also encouraging me during our occasional, but fruitful conversations.

I also like to thank the staff of Uttarpara Joykrishna Library, India. I often went there for my archival work during my visit in India. They were very helpful and efficient. I would like to thank the anonymous reviewers of my earlier published manuscripts, for extremely detailed and enlightening review.

This acknowledgement would not be complete without mentioning the name of Prof. Anupam Chattopadhyay, my beloved husband. Professionally, he is attached to the School of Computer Science and Engineering department at Nanyang Technological University. Words are often inadequate to express his contributions during my Ph.D. He is passionate about History and a great thinker. His immense interest in my topic of research led him to uncover materials and links that I could not possibly have discovered on my own. He was always aware of my research; he went through all of my research text diligently and helped me to improve my writing. Anupam has continued to inspire me during my research period. I have experienced his guidance day by day. Anupam was also the person, who spent sleepless nights with me and was always my support in the moments when it was hard to make progress.

Finally, there are numerous people, whom I missed inadvertently to name explicitly in this acknowledgement, who have enriched my life with positive contributions, improved my outlook towards research and infused me with energy to continue this work despite setbacks.

You are the ones who let me develop my studies, my research and this book. I will forever be thankful to you.

Singapore

January 2019