Prominent Indian historian Bipan Chandra died today in his sleep at the age of 86, family members said. Family said he died around 6 am at his home in Gurgaon.  He had not been keeping well over the last few months. The cremation will take place later in the day in New Delhi. Chandra was considered to be one of foremost scholars on India's independence movement and was an authority on Mahatma Gandhi.