AIHC - CU

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.

Academic

Faculty Members :

Name	Designation	Area of specialisation	Email
Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay [Profile]	Professor	Art, Iconography, Architecture, Archaeology	[email protected]
Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar [Profile]	Professor & HOD	Epigraphy and Numismatics	[email protected]
Dr. Swati Ray [Profile]	Associate Professor	Fine Arts	[email protected]
Dr. Sayantani Pal [Profile]	Associate Professor	Epigraphy and Numismatics	[email protected]
Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury [Profile]	Assistant Professor	History of Religion in Ancient and Early Medieval India, Heritage and Museum Studies	[email protected]
Dr. Tapan Kumar Das [Profile]	Assistant Professor	Art and Archaeology	[email protected]
Sm. Preeta Bhattacharyya [Profile]	Assistant Professor	Buddhist Narratives and Religious Culture	[email protected]

Courses :

Programme	Level of study	Eligibility	Intake capacity
M.A	Post Graduate	Honours	120
M. Phil			15
Ph. D			15

Research

Research scholars :

Sl. No.	Name	Research Topic	Name of the Supervisor	Date of Registration
1.	Amiya Koley	Hooghly Jelar Itihas O Sanskriti (Khristiya Pratham Satak-Khristriya Dvadas Satak Paryanta) [History and Culture of Hooghly District (1st Century CE to 12th Century CE)]	Dr. Tapan Kumar Das	16.12.2015
2.	Amrita Chakraborty	Dikpalas In Eastern India: An Iconographic Study	Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay	07.11.2014
3.	Animesh Raptan	Dakshin-Purva Banglar Prachin Laukik Samskritite Melar Utsya Sandhan O Artha-Samajik Tatparya [The Origin of Fairs and their Socio-Economic Significance in the Folk Culture of South-Eastern Bengal]	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	27.08.2013
4.	Antara Ghosal	Women In Early Bengal (4th To 13th Century)	Dr. Sayantani Pal	03.03.2015
5.	Avijit Denray	Paschim Banger Anchalik Itihas o Loksanskriti Charchay Puratattik Tarapada Santrar Abadan – Ekti Samiksha [A Study of the Regional History and Folk Culture of West Bengal by Antiquarian Tarapada Santra – An Analysis]	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	27.08.2013
6.	Ayan Banerjee	Religious Context of Medicine: Exploring the Brahmanical Perspective (Pre 700 CE)	Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar	16.12.2015
7.	Bablu Naskar	Sundarban: Lokayata O Lokasanskriti Anweshan [Sundarban:In Search of Lokayata and Folk Culture]	Dr Subid Chattopadhyay	28.02.2012
8.	Bhaskar Roy	Comparative Study of Religion and Religious Establishments of Kamata-Koach Behar and Kamarupa	Dr. Subid Chattopadhyay	30.05.2012
9.	Brijesh Kumar Singh	Understanding the Social Context of Image Inscriptions: Records of Pilgrims and Travelers of Early South Bihar	Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar	27.08.2013
10.	Buddhishwar Mondal	Adi Madhyayugia Nimnabanger Samajjiban [Social Life of Lower Bengal in Early Medieval Period]	Dr. Krishnendu Ray	16.12.2015
11.	Chandana Bhattacharya	Itihaser Prekshapate Uttar 24 Parganar Sanskriti [The Culture of North 24 Parganas: A Historical Perspective]	Dr. Subid Chattopadhyay	21.09.2011
12.	Chandrima Das	Analytical Study of Matangalila and Hastyayurveda in the Light of Available Epigraphic Data on Elephants in Early India	Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar	03.05.2012
13.	Chitarlekha Hazra	Social and Cultural Life in Religious Complexes in Bengal and Bihar: 600 CE - 1300 CE	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh	18.08.2011
14.	Debarati Ganguly	The Search for Greater India Nationalist and Cultural Visions	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh	22.04.2013
15.	Durga Sankar Koley	Varna-Jati and The Making of Society of Early Bengal	Dr. Sayantani Pal	03.03.2015
16.	Gargi Bose	The Ganasamghas of Early India (6th Century B.C.E. to 4th Century C.E.)	Dr. Syantani Pal	28.02.2012
17.	Jayanta Basu	The History & Culture of Sikkim Region	Dr. Subid Chattopadhyay	30.04.2014
18.	Kuntak Chatterjee	Temples in History: A Socio-Economic Study of Western Madhya Pradesh (c. 4th to 10th Century C.E.)	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh
19.	Kuntala Mondal	Srijanshil SanskritaSahitya Linga Baishamyer Pratifalan-Prasanga-Bharatiya Natyasahitya (Adiparva: 300 Khristabda Theke 600 Khristabda) [A Reflection of Gender Difference in Creative Sanskrit Literature – in the context of Bharata’s Natyasastra (Early Phase:300-600 CE)]	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	16.12.2015
20.	Nayana Sharma	A Medico-Social Analysis of the two Medical Texts the Caraka Samhita and the Susruta Samhita	Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar	16.07.2009 (Dissertation submitted on 12.5.2015)
21.	Noor Bano Sattar	Inscribed Images of Bengal and Bihar: An Analytical Study (circa 7th Century A. D. to circa 13th Century A.D.)	Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay	Awarded in 2014
22.	Nupur Dutta	The Artisan and His Craft: An Early Indian Perspective (6th Century B.C. to 3rd Century A.D.)	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	28.02.2012
23.	Paramita Basu	Administrative Issues and Resource Base of Kalachuri Temples and Allied Institutions (Exclusively from Epigraphic Records)	Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar	25.03.2014
24.	Prosanta Saha	Social Context of the Revanta Cult in Medieval India: A Comparative Analysis between Western and Eastern India	Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury	16.12.2015
25.	Rajasri Mukhopadhyay	Khiching Sculpture - A Study in Iconography and Style	Dr. Asok K. Bhattacharya	24.05.2010 (Dissertation submitted on 25.5.2015 )
26.	Rajesh Biswas	In The Pursuit of Leisure-Sports and Recreation In Early India Till 550 A.D.	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	16.12.2015
27.	Ratnabali Ray	Art Activities in Tripura: A Study in Iconography, Style and Historical Context	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh	09.01.2013
28.	Rohini Kar	Religious Development in Early Medieval Bengal and Adjacent Areas: A Study of The Brahmavaivarta and the Brhaddharma Puranas	Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury	22.05.2014
29.	Rumana Sarkar	Mathematics in Early Indian Society-A Study in its Dimensions (till 600AD)	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	24.08.2012
30.	Sabarni Pramanik	Economy and Society of the Early Andhra Region from Epigraphic Evidence (From the 6th to the 10th Century)	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh	Awarded in 2014
31.	Sanchari Bhattacharyya	Situating the Devadasis in Early Medieval Indian Gender History	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	03.05.2012
32.	Saptarshi Chakraborty	Representation of water Bodies in the Inscriptions and the Archaeological Remains of Orissa (c. 500-1300 CE): Ecological and Socio-Economic Perspective	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh	16.12.2015
33.	Shreyashi Chaudhuri	The Representation of Nature In Early Indian Narrative Art of Bharhut (c.2nd to 1st Century BCE)	Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay & Dr Swati Bhattacharya	03.05.2012
34.	Sipra Haldar	Puratattver Aloy Dakshin Chabbish Parganar Sanskritik Itihas [Cultural History of South 24 Parganas (District of West Bengal) in the Light of Archaeological Evidences]	Dr.Subid Chattopadhyay	18.04.2012
35.	Smita Halder	Exploring Early Historic Deccan for Understanding the Rise of the Satavahanas	Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar	03.05.2012
36.	Soumya Porel	The Forest People in Early India: Gleanings from Epigraphs and Texts (c. 4th Century B.C.E. to 10th Century C.E.)	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh	16.12.2015
37.	Srabani Dutta	Roman Trade with the Eastern Seaboard of India	Dr Bratindranatha Mukhopadhyay & Dr Suchandra Ghosh (Associate Supervisor)	Awarded in 2008
38.	Sreyashi Ray Chowdhuri	A Case Study of Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology	Dr. Swati Ray	15.01.2013
39.	Srijit Kumar Mondal	Sundarban: Prakritik Sampader Utsva Sandhan [Sundarban: In Search of the Origin of Natural Assets]	Dr. Subid Chattopadhyay	28.02.2012
40.	Sumana Basu	Religion and Religiosity: The Theory and Practice of the Dharma Cult of West Bengal and Orissa	Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury	28.02.2012
41.	Sutapa Basu	Nataraja in Bengal Art: A Study in Iconography and Art Style	Dr. Swati Ray	22.05.2014
42.	Tithi Chakrabarti	Social Themes in the Terracotta Plaques of Medieval Bengal Temples	Dr. Asok K. Bhattacharya & Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay (Associate Supervisor)	Awarded on 15.10.2014
M. Phil. Session: 2009 – 2011
1.	Rohini Kar	Images of Goddesses Candi and Manasa in Bengali Popular Literature – The Mangalkavyas	Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury	Awarded
2.	Arnab Bhowmick	Trade in the Bay of Bengal in the Light of Zhao-Ru-Gua’s Zu-Tan Zhi	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh	Awarded
3.	Riajul Midde	Reconstructing Social Life from the Inscription of Early Medieval Bengal (c.11th to 13th century CE)	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh	Awarded
4.	Rajesh Biswas	Adhyapak Hemchandra Roychowdhary r Padachinha Anusarone Prachin Bharatbarser Itihas Darsan [Viewing Ancient Indian History in the Footsteps of Professor Hemchandra Roychowdhuri]	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	Awarded
5.	Soumya Porel	Perception of Forest and Forest People in Early Central India: From Text and Epigraphy (c.5th century A.D. to 7th century A.D.	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh	Awarded
6.	Kuntala Mondal	Bharatia Sanskritir Adiparve Brikkha Upasanar Dharonar Udbhob O Bibartaner Bibhinna Parjay [The Origin and Concept of Tree Worship and Different Phases of its Evolution in the Early Phase of Indian Culture]	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	Awarded
7.	Jayeeta Sengupta	Prachin Bharatia Itihase Manabibidya Sankranto Gabeshanay Gonika Britti [The Profession of Ganikasin Ancient Indian History relating to Researches in the Field of Women Studies]	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	Awarded
8.	Sutapa Jana	Bharat Itihaser Adiparve (Khrishtapurva Shoshtha Shatabdi Porjonto) Arajtantrik Rashtro Byabostha - Ekti Samiksha [Non-Monarchical States in Ancient India (till 6th Century BCE) --- An Analysis]	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	Awarded
9.	Maumita Gayen	Bhuvaneshvarer Mandir O Mandirgatrer Bhashkarya: Akadas o Dvadash Shatabdi [Temples and Temple Sculptures of Bhuvaneswar: 11th-12 Century CE]	Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay	Awarded
10.	Simki Thakur	In Search of a Space Outside Domesticity – the Bhikkhuni Samgha and Revelations in the Therigatha	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	Awarded
11.	Antara Ghosal	The Changing Status of the Donors of the Land Grants of Early Bengal (c.400-1000 C.E)	Dr. Sayantani Pal	Awarded
M. Phil. Session: 2010-2012
11.	Malyaban Chattopadhyay	A Study of Mind and Mentality of the Theatre Workers of Ancient India Towards Theatre Communication and Performance	Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury	Awarded
12.	Amrita Chakraborty	The Cult of Narasimha	Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay	Awarded
M. Phil. Session: 2011-2013
13.	Anindita Bhowmick	Samaj Darpone Mrichchhakatik (Bishsesh Prosongo Natoker Nari Choritro) [‘Mrichchhakatik’as a Mirror of Society (with special reference to Women Characters)]	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	Awarded
14.	Nandita Dhara	Sahitye O Shilpe Apsara [Apsara in Literature and Art]	Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay	Awarded
15.	Rituparna Chattopadhyay	Rajim: Rajivlochana Temple and Making of a Tirtha	Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar	Awarded
16.	Srilata Sinha	Shashoker Namankito Murtilekhor Bhittite Bangla O Biharer Murtidaner Prokriti Sankranto Ekti Gabeshana ( khri: Ashtom Shatak theke Trayodash Shatak) A Study on the Nature of the Donation of Images in Bengal and Bihar on the Basis of Image Inscriptions Bearing the Name of Rulers (c. 8th-12th Century CE)]	Dr. Sayantani Pal	Awarded
17.	Anusree Mondal	Andhradeshe Ikshvaku RajShokti O Bouddho Dharmer Ruprekha (Khrishtiyo Tritiyo Shatabdi ) [The Ikshvakus of Andhra and the Condition of Buddhism (circa 3rd Century CE)]	Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury	Awarded
18.	Prosenjit Biswas	Yamuna Nadi Theke Devi: Ek Rupantar [The Yamuna: Transformation from River to Goddess]	Dr. Tapan Kumar Das	Awarded
19.	Shibaji Roy	Rarher Samajik O Arthanaitik Itihaser Punargathan (1200 khri: pu-1200 khri:) [A Reconstruction of the Social and Economic History of Ancient Radha 1200BCE to 1200 CE]	Dr. Swati Ray	Awarded
20.	Dev Kumar Jhanjh	The Abhiras Understanding Their History	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh	Awarded
21.	Priyankara Chakraborty	Aspects of the Society of Early Medieval Bengal Gleanings from the Aryasaptasati of Govardhanacarya and Other Texts (c. CE 9th -10th to13th Centuries)	Dr Krishnendu Ray	Awarded
M. Phil. Session: 2012-2014
22.	Bhabesh Mondal	Charjagitir Aloke Adi Madhya Jugiya Banglar Samajchitra Khristio Dasam Theke Dvadas Satak [Society in Early Medieval Bengal in the Light of Charya Songs: c. 10th Century CE to 12th Century CE]	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh	Awarded
23.	Susmita Manna	Murtitatter Nirikhe Brahma [Brahma in the Light of Iconography]	Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay	Awarded
24.	Sandip Pan	Coins of Early Historic Bengal	Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar	Awarded
25.	Gourav Debnath	Mahisasurmardini In Search of Her Sculptural Identity	Dr. Swati Ray	Awarded
26.	Sukamal Patra	Karnasuvarna: Ekti Bismrita Nagari [Karnasuvarna: A Forgotten Metropolis]	Dr.Tapan Kumar Das	Awarded
27.	Provat Naskar	Prachin Banglar Samudra Banijya: Tamralipti , Chandraketugarh O Gange Bandor (Ekti Aartho Samajik O Dhormiyo Mulyayan [Sea Trade in Ancient Bengal: Tamralipti, Chandraketugarh and Gange Port – A Socio-Economic and Religious Evaluation]	Dr. Tapan Kumar Das	Awarded
28.	Arpita Ghosh	Chamba Upotyakar Dharmiya Sanskriti (Khrishtiyo Saptam theke Dvadas Satabbi) [Religious Culture of Chamba Valley (c. 7th -12th Century CE)]	Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury	Awarded
29.	Alolika Bhattacharjee	Prachin Bharater Jibbaichitra O Tar Samrakshan (Khrishtapurva Chaturtha Theke Shashtha Shatak [Biodiversity and Its Conservation in Early India (4th Century BCE to 6th Century CE)]	Dr. Krishnendu Ray	Awarded
30.	Rimjhim Das	Bharat Itihaser Adiparve Prantobasinira – Ekti Samiksha [Marginalized Women in Early Indian History - An Analysis]	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	Awarded
M. Phil. Session: 2013-2015
31.	Sanjukta De	Ananta Vasudeva Mandir (Khrishtiya Trayadash Shatak): Ekti Aitihasik O Pratnatattvik Pratibedan [Ananta Vasudeva Temple (13th Century CE): A Historical and Archaeological Study]	Dr. Swati Ray	Awarded
32.	Dolika Halder	Itihas Likhaner Dharay Aadi Madhyajugiya Dakshin Bharatiya Rashtrer Charitrayan – Ekti Samikshan [The Nature of Early Medieval South Indian State – Trends in Historiography]	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	Awarded
33.	Maloy Das	Adi Madhyajugiya Udishyay Shashonkari Teen Kshudra Rajashakti O Tader Dharmiya Itihas: Ekti Lekhatattvik Gabeshana [Tracing the Religious History in Three Minor Ruling Powers in Early Medieval Orissa: An Epigraphic Study]	Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury	Awarded
34.	Balaram Mondal	Sundarbaner Itihaser Anusandhane (Dasham ThekeTrayadash Shatak ) [In Search of the History of the Sundarbans (10th -13th Century)]	Dr. Sayantani Pal	Awarded
35.	Debasish Das	Nibbaner Sandhane: Thera Ebang Therigathar Ekti Tulonamulak Byakshya [In Search of Nibbana: A Comparative Analysis of the Thera and Therigatha]	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	Awarded
36.	Sourav Das	Jibaanchariter Itikatha: Prasanga Sandhakar Nandir Ramacharita [The Antiquity of BiographicalWritings --- With Special Reference to Sandhyakara Nandi’s Ramacarita]	Dr. Rita Chaudhuri	Awarded
37.	Biswajit Mondal	Aakhyaner Samajikata: Panchtantrer Niti, Nitiheenata O Aantasamparker Binyas [Social Context of a Narrative: Morality, Immorality and the Complex Web of Relationships in the Pancatantra]	Sm. Preeta Bhattacharya	Awarded
38.	Rahul Nag	Aadi Madhyayuger Mandir Sthapatya: Purulia Zelar Uttar-Purbansha [Early Medieval Temple Architecture of North-Eastern Portion of Purulia District (West Bengal)]	Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay	Awarded
39.	Diapankar Roy	Prachin Bharater Bijnansammato Itihas Charchar Anusandhan: Lekhacharcha O Byaktitva (1834-1934 Khrishtabda) [In Search of Scientific Historical Research in Early India: Epigraphy and Scholars (1834-1934)]	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh	Awarded
40.	Sujit Das	Kumariparvata: A Jain Pilgrimage Centre	Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar	Awarded
M. Phil. Session: 2014-2016 [Third Semester]
41.	Tanmay Roy	Yet to be decided	Dr. Swati Ray
42.	Utpal Biswas	Yet to be decided	Dr.Tapan Kumar Das
43.	Santanu Chakraborty	Yet to be decided	Dr Krishnendu Ray
44.	Sukrit Mukherjee	Yet to be decided	Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury
45.	Dipak Majumder	Yet to be decided	Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay
46.	Bidhan Halder	Yet to be decided	Dr. Sayantani Pal
47.	Monalisa Mukherjee	Yet to be decided	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh
48.	Indrani Chatterjee	Yet to be decided	Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay
49.	Laboni Das	Yet to be decided	Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury
50.	Sukla Das	Yet to be decided	Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar
51.	Riya Champati	Yet to be decided	Dr. Sayantani Pal
52.	Soumita Mallick	Yet to be decided	Dr. Suchandra Ghosh
M. Phil. Session: 2015-2017 [First Semester]
53.	Tanmoy Ray		Dr Suchandra Ghosh
54.	Nibedita Mondal		Dr. Swati Ray
55.	Debalina Das		Dr. Rita Chaudhuri & Ms Preeta Bhattacharya
56.	Rajatabha Ray		Dr. Rita Chaudhuri
57.	Sayan Debnath		Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury
58.	Samir Maiti		Dr. Madhuparna Roychowdhury
59.	Debashis Bhunia		Dr.Tapan Kumar Das
60.	Santu Bar		Dr. Sayantani Pal
61.	Biplab Bhakta		Dr.Tapan Kumar Das
62.	Durbar Sharma		Dr. Suchandra Ghosh
63.	Soumya Ghosh		Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar
64.	Shawttiki Ojha		Dr. Sudipa Ray Bandyopadhyay
65.	Abhick Sarkar		Dr. Susmita Basu Majumdar
66.	Paulami Sinha		Dr Krishnendu Ray
67.	Madhumita Rana		Ms Preeta Bhattacharyya

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 Campus

Address for communication : 1, Reformatory Street, Alipore, Kolkata - 700027