Department of History and Archaeology

A sense of history is central to our relationship with the world around us. This understanding guides the Department of History and Archaeology at Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence. It informs our undergraduate and postgraduate programs, where we impart a rigorous 
training in disciplinary theory and methods, critical analysis, and encourage students to write clearly and creatively.

The Department offers a unique and creative intertwining of history, archaeology, and museum studies as distinct disciplinary approaches to the past. We have a strong focus on research with faculty who are experts in their various fields. The faculty is invested in expanding the frontiers of scholarship in history and archaeology, and regularly undertakes independent and collaborative research projects, both locally and internationally.

Our independent projects enable us to speak across the social sciences, create bridges between the sciences and humanities, and proactively communicate our work to larger audiences.

In the classroom, our aim is to make studying the past more enjoyable through a creative engagement with the sources. Of particular note is the Archaeology Lab which not only contains an interesting collection of artifacts but is also a space used to introduce students to important field-methods and offer resources for intensive study. 

The Department has a vibrant culture of research. Scholars from both within the country and abroad speak at our seminar series and interact with students and colleagues. Graduate students of the department present their work before an academic community at research
workshops and colloquia. We encourage student participation in seminars and conferences, exhibitions, and film screenings.

Mnemon, the Students' Society of the Department, regularly organizes a series of activities through which students can imaginatively interact with their historical pasts. Visits to places of historical importance, quizzes, debates, fairs and fetes are some of the events organized by the Society. The Department and the University facilitates internships and research related opportunities for students, which allows them to gain a hands-on experience in the field.

We envision the department as a democratic and interdisciplinary space with students and faculty who are committed to a creative and critical engagement with the past. We welcome undergraduate and doctoral students from diverse backgrounds.