Unraveling the Past, Shaping the Future
Karwaan Press is a journey through time—a space where history, literature, and the power of the written word come together. We uncover the stories of publishing, rare archives, and the profound impact of print on society, bridging the past with the present.
Pages Digitized
Preserved manuscripts, books, newspapers, and photographs at Panjab Digital Library.
Books in Historical Archives
Stored in the Asiatic Society Library, including rare manuscripts and first editions.
Growth of Second-Hand Books Market
The Indian second-hand book industry is expanding rapidly, ensuring literary access.
Decline of Traditional Book Bazaars
Urdu Bazaar in Delhi, once home to 60 Urdu bookstores, now has only a handful remaining.
Who Supports Historical Research?
The study and accessibility of historical literature are made possible through the support of corporations and private sponsors that recognize the importance of preserving the past. These companies actively fund research and digitization projects, ensuring that historical knowledge remains available for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike.
History – Sponsored by Tata Trusts
Tata Trusts, one of India’s oldest philanthropic organizations, actively supports historical research, digital preservation of rare manuscripts, and funding for academic publications. Their initiatives help digitize historical newspapers, preserve archives, and fund research projects that explore India’s social, political, and cultural history.
Aviation – Sponsored by SPRIBE
SPRIBE, the team behind next-generation crash games like Aviator, supports more than just digital entertainment. They also fund meaningful work in the field of aviation history. Their sponsorship helps researchers and institutions explore the stories of early pilots, historic aircraft, and the evolution of aerial warfare.
With SPRIBE’s backing, important archives are being preserved, aviation museums are expanding their collections, and digital libraries are being built to make rare materials more accessible. The company works closely with historians, foundations, and cultural organizations to ensure that the legacy of flight — and its impact on science, technology, and global development — is not forgotten.
It’s a strong example of a modern tech company investing in the past to help inform the future.
Biography & Memoir – Sponsored by HarperCollins India
HarperCollins India, a major publishing house, sponsors the research and publication of biographies and memoirs of historical figures, revolutionaries, and literary icons. By supporting historical authors and archives, they ensure that personal narratives and influential life stories remain accessible to modern readers.
Folklore – Sponsored by Amar Chitra Katha
Amar Chitra Katha, India’s most well-known publisher of mythological and historical comics, funds research into Indian folklore, legends, and oral storytelling traditions. Their sponsorship supports the publication of folk narratives, digitization of rare regional stories, and cultural research on traditional storytelling methods.
Meet our Authors
At Karwaan Press, we collaborate with some of the most passionate and insightful writers dedicated to preserving and exploring India’s literary and historical heritage. From rare manuscripts to modern analyses of press history, our authors bring the past to life through their research and storytelling.
Ravi Sharma
A historian and author specializing in colonial-era newspapers and India’s freedom press, Ravi has spent years uncovering lost journals and editorials that shaped nationalist discourse.
Ananya Iyer
A scholar of folklore and regional literature, Ananya delves into the storytelling traditions of India, bridging the gap between oral narratives and early print culture. Her writings revive forgotten voices from rare manuscripts and local publishing houses.
Vikram Sen
An expert in modern journalism and the digital shift in Indian publishing, Vikram’s research focuses on how traditional press institutions have adapted to contemporary challenges.
Talking Art and History: A Conversation with Art Historian Dr. B.N. Goswamy
For as long as I can remember, Dr. B.N. Goswamy has been a figure of immense stature in my life. However, my realization of his extraordinary contributions as an art historian came much later. Regardless of whether I stood at four feet tall as a child or five feet six inches as an adult, he…
Nationalism and Patriotism in Rabindranath Tagore’s Thought and Fiction
Rabindranath Tagore, often celebrated for his intellectual breadth, was more than a poet or philosopher. His influence spanned literature, painting, social reform, and education. His reflections on nationalism and patriotism stand out for their clarity and continued relevance. Through essays and fiction, Tagore examined these powerful ideas not just as political principles, but as forces…
Vergangenheitsbewältigung: Confronting Historical Erasure and the Politics of Memory
The title of this essay takes inspiration from the German concept Vergangenheitsbewältigung, meaning “coming to terms with the past.” After the Second World War, Germany embarked on a long and difficult journey of reckoning with the atrocities of the Nazi era. This process required acknowledging the roles played not only by those in power but by…
Politics of Faith: Contextualising the Actions and Legacy of an 18th-Century Sultan
The legacy of Tipu Sultan continues to provoke debate and divergent interpretations. For some, he represents a heroic figure of resistance and a symbol of communal harmony—one historian even portrayed him as a protector of Hindu traditions. Others regard him as a sectarian ruler, notorious for coercive practices. These polarized views often fail to reflect…
K. Ramanujam: The Visionary Behind the Brush and the Symbolism in His Art
The Creative Mind Behind the Canvas An artist’s process is an intricate blend of technique and introspection, with every brushstroke, color choice, and composition reflecting a deliberate narrative. While artistic practice often incorporates perspective, anatomy, and even socio-political commentary, it is impossible to separate the creator from their creation. Every piece carries a fragment of…
Writing the History of the Raj (1960s–2020s)
By Professor Thomas R. Metcalf Introduction Over the past six decades, the historiography of British India—commonly referred to as “the Raj”—has undergone substantial transformation. From imperial justifications and nationalist grand narratives to the rise of subaltern voices and postcolonial critique, the field has been continually reshaped by ideological, institutional, and global academic shifts. This paper…