Ph.D. Programme in History

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Ph.D. Programme in History

The Department of History runs a PhD Programme under the guidelines of Ashoka University and the rules and regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The Programme provides students with a robust training in source-based, research-driven, serious academic history-writing. All History PhD candidates are expected to devote their full time to the PhD Programme.

Highlights of Ashoka’s Ph.D. Programme in History

  • Liberal Arts: Centred on its stimulating Liberal Arts model of education, Ashoka University offers a unique environment for pursuing historical research in India. Its rich intellectual environment fosters inter-disciplinary thinking and research.
  • Faculty expertise: The Faculty of the Department of History has an expertise in a wide range of specializations: the history of ancient and early medieval India, with a special focus on archaeology, heritage, society, politics, religion, texts, and ideas; the history of medieval and early modern India with an emphasis on states, empires, warfare, and environment; the history of modern India and the Indian Ocean with a focus on political violence, space, environment, and intellectual history; contemporary history and international history of modern South Asia; and global history.
  • Library: Ashoka University has a world-class library. It has an expanding collection of books and journals of South Asian and global history. It provides access to a wide-range of digital resources, like JSTOR and South Asia Archive. The Department of History is deeply committed to expanding its library resources further for supporting serious research and pedagogy.
  • Seminars: For several years, the Department of History has been running multiple seminar series throughout the year. Both eminent and upcoming scholars of History and allied disciplines regularly present their latest research here. The main series – titled Ashoka History Seminar – runs through the year with active participation of our Ph.D. scholars.
  • Language Training: The History Ph.D. Programme offers tailor-made language training to cater to the research needs of its students. Currently Sanskrit and Persian are offered. Depending on the research requirements of incoming students, new options for languages will be introduced.
  • Teaching Opportunities: All History Ph.D. students will be able to gather some pedagogical experience as Teaching Assistants during their tenure at Ashoka. This will give them an opportunity to mentor Ashoka’s undergraduate students and thereby acquire teaching skills.
  • Stipend: All History Ph.D. students, who are not recipients of other financial aids already, will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 35,000. In addition, they will be eligible for an annual contingency grant of Rs. 20,000 as support for their research. Students holding an MPhil degree will receive this stipend for the first 4 years, while students without an MPhil degree will receive this stipend for the first 5 years. The university may also extend additional financial support for Ph.D. students to participate in conferences.
  • Accommodation: History Ph.D. students will be able to take up accommodation at the Ashoka campus, depending on its availability. They can also opt not to stay on campus and avail an extra sum of Rs. 7,000 as Rent Allowance towards off-campus housing.
  • Ph.D. Timeline: The tenure of Ph.D. students at Ashoka University is a maximum of 6 years. Out of this, all students will focus on coursework during their first one or two years, depending on their academic needs. During their second year, students will be required to submit their final Ph.D. Research Proposal. The semester fee is Rs. 12,500 per semester.
  • Eligibility for Application

    Students with Masters in History or a related discipline with 55% or more marks are eligible to apply. In admission, preference will be given to students who already have a research degree (like MPhil) or have experience in research work otherwise. 

  • Application Process and Timeline

    Online applications are invited each year, usually in March and April, which need to submitted using the official University website portal. At this stage, candidates need to submit a research proposal. All eligible candidates are expected to appear for a qualifying written entrance. Candidates shortlisted on the basis of the written examination, academic record, and research proposals are expected to appear for an interview in April or May. The selection for admission to the Ph.D. programme is usually completed by June and the list of applicants is announced on this webpage. The academic session for the new batch of Ph.D. students begins in August. 

  • Contact

    All queries related to the Ph.D. application and admission process should be directed to phd.history@ashoka.edu.in

  • Fees

    • Tuition fee: Rs. 12,500 per semester.
    • Dissertation assessment fee: Rs. 15,000 for the first time, and Rs. 5,000 the second/third time.
    • The quantum of fees paid by Ph.D. students will be reviewed from time to time.

  • Graduate Assistantships

    A Ph.D. student with an MPhil. may be appointed GA for up to 4 years, whereas a student with an MA may be appointed GA for up to 5 years.

    ● All Ph.D. students who have been awarded GA-ship established by Ashoka University or those receiving scholarship from UGC or “partner” organizations are expected to work for 8 hours/week assisting with teaching courses. Assistance in teaching will include (among others) grading assignments of all sort and maintenance of student information on the AMS. GAs will be assigned to courses (or duties) by the Head of the Department.

Applications for Ph.D. Programme in History are closed.

Student Stories

Why History at Ashoka?

“I am a second year PhD scholar at the Department of history, Ashoka University. I work on the history of the Afghan communities in early modern South Asia. The PhD programme at Ashoka offers a lot of opportunities and resources to its scholars in the form of lectures, conferences, seminars, and colloquiums. For a person like me who started her PhD online due to pandemic, Ashoka has provided a safe space to work and to develop my ideas in a supportive community of faculty members and fellow research scholars. It was only through the efforts of the history department and the PhD cohort that things became a little easy and manageable virtually. The best part of studying at Ashoka for me is also how the university tries to foster a sense of community among its students and ensure that they have substantial access to resources. The PhD programme not only trains scholars to hone their research and skills but also to learn the logistical and pedagogical dimensions of teaching a class. This has really helped me to not only have a dialogue but also to freely express my thoughts and opinions.” 

Akansha Singh

Why History at Ashoka?

“The doctoral programme of the History department at Ashoka offers proper assistance, judicious guidance and sound intellectual friendships beyond the fetters of curriculum-oriented teaching and learning. Our department holds a very dynamic, inclusive and fertile academic environment when it comes to organizing scholarly symposiums, conferences, writing workshops or research colloquiums as they continue to enrich our understanding not only of the discipline of history but the larger academic scene in the first place. Moreover, the highly well-equipped library at Ashoka and the resourceful repository of Ashoka Archives of Contemporary India add to the delightful experiences of conducting research. I have been thoroughly enjoying the research-life here with all of my colleagues, friends and faculty members.”

Aritri Chakrabarti 

 

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