“We briefed the chief minister about the facilities at the ground and told him about our requirements to hold a fair of this scale. He also asked us about the public response,” said Sudhanshu Dey, a representative of the Guild.

The chief minister, meanwhile, released two books —- 1857 Drohakal and Unish Sataker Babu Samaj —- published by the Bengal Association at the fair. He also visited the stall of Ganashakti, the mouthpiece of the ruling CPM.

Speaking at the release, Bhattacharjee said: “The state government will take all the necessary steps to ensure that 1857: Drohakal is made available in all libraries across the state.”

He said the book is a collection of essays, which underlines the role played by the peasants in the sepoy mutiny of 1857.