Department of History

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About the Department

Located at Pondicherry which remains a window of French culture, the Department of History of the Pondicherry University has distinguished itself as a frontline History Department across the country for the study of cultural interaction in the Indian Ocean region. The Department was established in 1988 to provide facilities for study and research in the social, economic and cultural history of India and the world. Teaching and research in the department are focused on the different aspects of Indian history, ancient, medieval and modern. Historiography, Theory and Practice of Historical Writing, History of Science, Technology, Environment and Medicine, Archaeology, Epigraphy, Numismatics and Global History are foremost among the thrust areas of study. The curriculum makes it possible for students to have comprehensive as well as in depth knowledge in history so as to enable them to clear competitive examinations like UGC NET and Civil Service Examinations and take up administrative, teaching and research careers with confidence in future. The Department provides modular courses which allow the students of the University to choose from a menu of courses according to their interests, career plans and ambitions.

The Department of History was established in December 1987 with following main objectives:
 To provide facilities for study and research in social, economic and cultural history of India
 To highlight the intellectual tradition and cultural heritage of India
 To explore the history of countries other than India
 To undertake the study of historiography and the philosophy of history
 To provide knowledge of the theory and practice of historical writing

+91-413-2654-771

head.his@pondiuni.ac.in

Vision and Message of Head of Department

Dr. N. Chandramouli

  • Professor

The Department of History, established in 1988 with faculty strength of seven, has distinguished itself among the frontline history departments across the country. Its primary mission is to promote teaching and research in the diverse fields of Indian History and Archaeology. In 2023, the department has implemented the National Education Policy with the introduction of the four-Year B.A (hons) programme with a thoroughly revised curriculum having the Certificate programme in Museology (First Year) Diploma in Epigraphy & Manuscriptology (Second Year), where in the students will be equipped with employable skills in museum management and administration; study, analysis and interpretation of inscriptions and conservation of manuscripts and other archival materials.

At present there are five regular faculty members and six gest faculty teaching in the department. They are drawn from different parts of the country and have had their academic training in India and abroad. The department is offering the Value-Added Course: Understanding India, a common paper for all the UG programmes of the University. The thrust areas of teaching and research reflect the specialization of the faculty.

Office Contact Details

+91-413-2654-378

officehistory@pondiuni.ac.in

Faculty

Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
The Department is equipped with most modern facilities for the purpose of research and teaching. Facilities like Computer Lab, Smart-boards, Speakers, Collar mike and Amplifiers, unlimited access to web resources, availability of online Cambridge History series, LCD projectors, well-furnished Seminar Hall and Class rooms and Photo copying facility are available. Hand held GPS, Digital Vernier calipers, Digital cameras, voice recorders, scanners, Estampage material for copying the stone inscriptions are also available in the department. The department is having all the necessary scientific equipment and tools needed in Archaeological Excavations. We are in the process of shifting to a more spacious new building having spacious class rooms, conference hall and separate Museology section and scientific laboratory for the conservation and preservation of manuscripts and also to provide hands-on training to the students in this domain.
  • Prehistory and Archaeological Sciences
  • Epigraphy and Manuscriptology
  • Museology
  • State Formation and Societal Transformations in Peninsular India
  • Religious Institutions and Political Legitimization in South India
  • Chola State and the Agrarian order: Peasantry, landed groups and water rights
  • Vijayanagara State, Society, Art & Architecture
  • South India and Indian Ocean as a maritime Region
  • Social and Intellectual history of modern India
  • Social transformation in Colonial South India
  • Growth of Capitalism, Labour and Subaltern studies
  • Women in India
  • Diaspora studies
Extra-mural Funding: The Department was awarded the Special Assistance Programme (SAP II) of the UGC for five years (2015-2020and received a grant of Rs.63 lakhs + PF salary actuals. ▪ The Department was also awarded the SPARC project for two Years (2022-2024) and received a grant of Rs.70,53,700/- Thus the department generated an extra-mural fund of Rs. 1,33,53,700/- Besides Dr.Ruman Banerjee received an amount of Rs.1,50,000/- as the faculty seed money grant.   ▪ Faculty Achievements: The faculty of the Department as part of their outreach programme have given radio talks and helped in the preparation of historical documentaries. They have also helped in upgrading the curriculum (NEP) of affiliated colleges, and have contributed to the recovery and conservation of cultural artifacts in and around the region. All the faculty are in the selection committees, Editorial Boards, Boards of Study of various Universities and are acting as external examiners to doctoral theses of several Indian Universities.  
The Department conducts national seminars and invites distinguished scholars for giving lectures throughout the academic year with a view to disseminate advanced knowledge in chosen fields of history. Field trips to nearby places of importance are undertaken every year. The students of the department are getting placements as teachers in the history departments of the colleges and Universities in different parts of India and as technicians in Governmental agencies like the Archaeological Survey of India and the State Departments of Archaeology and Museums.
The Department is inducted under UGC Special Assistance Programme and has moved to Phase II. The thrust area for DRS II is ” India and the India Ocean with Special reference to Coromandel and Malabar Coasts(Early Historic Period to Colonial Times)”  
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