Christian Missions in Bihar and Jharkhand till 1947 A Study by P.C. Horo

About the Book Christianity in India is nearly two millennia old. Along with Hinduism and other prominent minority religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, it has become a part of the religious heritage of India, which is known for its religiosity and religious diversity. Therefore, the History of Christianity in India is a part of the History of this land. So also, the History of the Christian community is an aspect of the general history of the people of this country.

This book deals with the History of Christianity in Bihar and Jharkhand till the year of Indian Independence, in 1947, based on a detailed description of Christian Missions established by different Missionary Organizations during the period. It is a Mission-oriented History with focus on the missionaries. This scholarly study highlights the benign presence of hundreds of dedicated missionaries and their heroic work among the poor, the marginalized and the sick wherever they operated, effecting significant transformation in the Christian community in particular, and the wider ambient society, in general.

This book is the fulfillment of a dream of Prof. Prem Chand Horo, to publish his thesis in book form, highlighting the contribution of the Christian Missions toward nation building. The efforts of Dr. Fr. Jose Kalapura further adds to the scholarly contents by his able editing, checking the facts and rectifying any drawbacks, without altering the content of the research, besides adding an informative Appendix on the Missions and a suitable Introduction giving an overview, thus making it relevant, readable for students, researchers and general readers alike.

About the Author Dr. Jose Kalapura, Patna Jesuit Priest, did his MA in History from Pune. University, M. Phil and Ph. D. in Christian History from New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University. He has authored/co- authored 12 books, and has 70 research papers of which 60 papers have been published in edited books, encyclopedias and journals.

He is a life member of the Indian History Congress and member of the Church History Association of India. He was twice awarded Dr. I. G. Khan Memorial Best Paper in Science History: at the Indian History Congress, 2006, in Vishwabharati University, and in 2007 in Delhi University.

He taught History at St. Xavier's College, Patna and Christian History for several years at four Theology Institutes in India.. He is currently the Executive Editor of the Indian Church History Review, and is the Director of Xavier Institute of Social Research, at Patna.

Foreword I feel honoured to have been asked to write a Foreword to the book entitled Christian Missions in Bihar and Jharkhand till 1947: A Study by PC. Horo, edited by Jose Kalapura. Late Prof. Prem Chand Horo, was Head of the Department of History at St. Columba's College, Hazaribagh, presently, a constituent College of Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh. While being the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Ranchi University, he got his Ph. D. degree in History from Patna University, in 1976. His long years of experience in teaching History, his will power, tenacity and commitment to the cause of Christian Missions enabled him to complete the study even at the age of 60.

The present book comes out of his Ph. D. thesis entitled "Christian Missions and Communities in Bihar". Having spent so many years in teaching History in the College, Prof. Horo undertook his doctoral research in the fag end of his teaching career, on the advice and inspiration of his own eminent History Professor, Dr. Kali Kinkar Datta, of Patna University.

Introduction Christianity in India is nearly two millennia old. Along with Hinduism and other prominent minority religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, it has become a part of the religious heritage of India, which is known for its religiosity and religious diversity. Therefore, the History of Christianity in India is a part of the History of this land. So also, the History of the Christian community' is an aspect of the general history of the people of this country.

**Contents and Sample Pages**