History

Year of Establishment : 1917

History of the department :The teachers of the Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture of the University of Calcutta regularly contribute their valuable research articles to national and international journals and edited books. Some of the faculty members regularly participate in national and international seminars. Most of the teachers of the Department are also engaged in different research projects. Some of our faculty members are involved in a research project with Glasgow University on “Land holding, the Recording of Property Transfer and the Formation of Kingdoms: the Comparative Experience of Medieval Scotland and Early Medieval Bengal” and also on “Buddhist Rebirth Narratives in Literary and Visual Cultures of Gandhara” funded by the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies through the American Council of Learned Societies. The Department regularly organizes monthly lectures, special lectures, national and international seminars and of course students’ seminar on different aspects of early Indian history. Some students of the Department participate in certificate courses relating to Indian Numismatics and Indian Architecture. The students of the Department are also taken to visit museums, archaeological sites and monuments. They also participate in field excavations. The Department is also building a library of study materials for the students. Special Lectures have been given by Dr. Federico de Romanis, Dr.Caterina Guenzi, Dr. Annette Schmiedehen. The Department has also organized national and international seminars with outstanding participants like Dr. Gouriswar Bhattacharya, Dr. Janson Neeles, Prof. B. D. Chattopadhyaya, Prof. G. Subbaih, Prof. Ranabir Chakravarti, Prof. Kum Kum Roy, Prof. Tanveer Nasreen, Prof. S. Setter, Prof. Y. Subbarayalu,and Dr. Manjiri Bhalerao etc, from both home and abroad.

Thrust areas in teaching and research of the academic department :

• Holding national and international seminars, Special Lectures, students seminars, monthly lectures, workshop
• Taking up a multi-disciplinary research programme on Heritage Studies, Centre for Epigraphic and Numismatic Studies and Centre for Tribal Studies, Organizing National and International Seminars, Collaboration with other organizations and taking up research projects and building a library of study materials for students

Major activities

• The students of the Department attend short term certificate courses generally relating to Indian Numismatics and Indian Architecture; organize cultural programmes with the help of teachers; raise funds for organizations like CRY.
• Along with teachers of the Department they also participate in field excavations.
• Special Lectures given by Dr. Federico de Romanis (2010), Dr.Caterina Guenzi (2011), Dr. Annette Schmiedehen (2012). Monthly Seminar and Students Seminar, in the Department

Additional information : The Department intends to take up a DRS Programme as well as organise a Summer School

Contact

Campus : Alipore

Address for communication : 1, Reformatory Street Kolkata—700027