The present work is a sociologically informed social history of clerks. It falls in the category of sociology of occupation. However, since their office represents development of modern occupational structure under the aegis of colonial administration and of a new middle class, the book illuminates much on contemporary Bengali society, culture and economy. Clerks continue to receive critical attention from the government and the people even now for their proneness to sloth and politics. The book traces it's roots in their experience of deprivation and domination during colonial times.
Like every researcher I have gained enormously from advise and suggestions given by many. My supervisor, Professor Prasanta Ray. Department of Sociology, Presidency College, has closely guided my research process. Sri Subhasis Gupta gave access to a wide range of journals and conference reports of employees' associations apart from introducing me to a number of knowledgeable persons. Professor Abhijit Mitra of Department of Sociology, Burdwan University, enlightened me on a number of theoretical issues. He also gave me vital clues regarding reference to clerks in Bengali literature. Professor Subhas Chakrabarti of Department of History, Presidency College, refreshed my understanding of history of Bengal. My colleague in the Department of Political Science, Professor Rabindranath Basu provided me with vital information. Sri Dhruba Pal and Smt Geeta Purokayastha, among others. introduced me to many clerk-interviewees. Professor Asim Nag. Department of Statistics, Presidency College and Sri Swarnendu Das helped me in computer work. Sri Pranab Ray gave useful advise for improving upon the draft. Without the patient cooperation of clerk interviewees and various organization leaders, it would have been impossible for me to proceed with the research.
Sri Ananda Kar, an ex-student of the Department of Sociology. Presidency College, drew the sketches used in this book. I owe my gratitude to the staff of various libraries like the Secretariat Library at Writers' Buildings, particularly Sri Goutam Ray, the National Library, the Victoria Memorial Library, the Commercial Library, the Asiatic Society Library and the library at Presidency College. Sri Swapan Guha, Sri Ashutosh Chaudhuri and Sri Shankar Sardar of departmental office offered secretarial services.
I am grateful for research funding from the UGC.
I received warm support and wise counsel from my parents, elder sisters, my husband, his relations and Smt. Mira Ray. I thank them all for their invaluable help.
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