Early Bengali Serials 1818-1950

Early Bengali Serials (EBS) is a print version of the electronic database of an International Union Catalogue. The Database includes over one thousand journals and newspapers appeared during the period 1818-1950. Each title, with few exceptions, is annotated with bibliographic description, indicative notes, subject keywords, and the whereabouts of available issues tracked down in some heritage libraries in West Bengal and other parts of India, and in overseas institutions as well. The database has been designed to provide researchers and scholars with valuable information on the primary sources of literature published in Bengali language in India under colonial rule. They reflect the thoughts and ideas of the people interacting with their social, religious, cultural, economic and political environment in a significant period of Indian history, Bengal during this phase perfected her language, moulded a script, and excelled in literature and science. This happened to be the time of the Bengal Renaissance, and the time of negotiation with forces working against the emergence of a modern society. It was the time of India's struggle for freedom and transfer of power, which ended with the beginning of independent India. So far, bibliographers and researchers have found evidence of nearly 2900 titles brought out in pre-independent India. EBS captured 1087 of those. The database has been developed with input from varied types of secondary sources – both on-line, covering printed library catalogues, union lists, bibliographies, historical reference materials, and on-line union catalogues and library databases.