Renowned historian and author from Gujarat,writer Makrand Mehta passed away today at the age of 93. Mehta authored more than 20 books in English and Gujarati. He also published numerous research papers on social and economic history.

Mehta was born on May 25, 1931, in a Nagar Brahmin family in Ahmedabad. He is an alumnus of Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara, the University of Pennsylvania, and Gujarat University.

The veteran historian also led the Department of History at the School of Sciences at Gujarat University. He was associated with several institutions, including Gujarat Samachar, Gujarat Itihas Parishad, Gujarat Vidhya Sabha, and Darshak Itihas Nidhi.

Mehta’s latest book ‘Business Culture of Gujarat’ was published in December 2023.

Mehta’s English books include:

The Ahmedabad Cotton Textile Industry: Genesis and Growth

Urbanisation in Western India: A Historical Perspective

Business Houses in Western India: A Study in Entrepreneurial Response 1850-1956 (co-author)

Regional Roots of Indian Nationalism

Indian Merchants and Entrepreneurs in Historical Perspective: with Special Reference to Shroffs of Gujarat, 17th to 19th Centuries

Merchants and ports of Gujarat

History of International Trade and Customs Duties in Gujarat

His Gujarati books include:

Gujaratno Rajwadi Warso 

Gujarat Ane Dariyo 

Kasturbhai Lalbhai 

Gujaratna Ghadvaiya: Swavikas ni Prayogshala 

Itihas, Samaj ane Sahityama Gujarat 

Hindu Varnavyavastha, Samaj Parivartan Ane Gujaratna Dalito 

Sanstha Sthapan Ane Samaj Parivartan