Prof. Vir Bharat Talwar (b. 1948) is an active leader of the Jharkhand movement. After obtaining a doctorate from JNU, Delhi he taught at the School of Language Literature and Cultural Studies, JNU for over two decades. Influenced by Marxist thoughts he associated himself with the Communist movement and participated in various tribal agitations in Patna, Dhanbad, Bokaro and Ranchi. He was actively involved in the Jharkhand movement and formation of a separate Jharkhand State. He was instrumental in organizing the Jharkhand Buddijivi Sammelan in Ranchi in 1978 and was elected its General Secretary.

He is the recipient of Bhagwan Birsa Puraskar (1989) and Jharkhand Ratna (2003) for his social and political contribution to tribal organisations in Jharkhand.

He edited Filhaal (Hindi fortnightly from Patna) and has authored: Kisan Rashtriya Andolan Aur Premchand, 1918-1922 (1990 & 2007), Rashtriya Navjagran Aur Sahitya: Kuchh Prasang, Kuchh Pravrittiyan (1994), Hindu Navjagran Ki Vichardhara: Satyarthprakash: Samlochana Ka Ek Prayas (2001), Rassakashi (2002), Samana: Ramvilas Sharma Ki Vivechan-Paddhati Aur Marxwaad Tatha Anya Nibandh (2005),Naksalbadi Ke Daur Mein (2008), and Adivasi Vidroh:Vidroh Parampara Aur Sahityik Abhivyakti Ki Samasyayen (with Kedar Prasad Meena, 2015). His published stories include: Ghar (1964), Vikshipt (1967), Kaner Ke Phool (1968), Jhoothe Kshanon Ka bhaya (1967), etc. He has also written a number of articles and chapters in several books.

About the Collection: The papers comprise handwritten notes, correspondence, articles, pamphlets, handbills, open letters, and memorandums, mainly relating to Jharkhand movement and the formation of Jharkhand state. The collection also contains copies of some issues of journals such as Jharkhand Varta (Jharkhand Andolan ka Mukhpatra), Shalpatra (Jharkhand Pradesh ki Sanskritik Patrika), Social Change and Journal of the Council for Social Development (Special issue on Jharkhand).