Indian History Congress is the largest professional and academic body of Indian historians with over 10,000 members. It was established in 1935. The name of any new applicant for membership needs to be proposed and seconded by existing Ordinary or Life Members. The Indian History Congress has constituted Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade Award for lifelong service and contribution to Indian history which was given to professor R.S. Sharma in 2002. Veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu was invited to speak the 61st session at Kolkata.