The historical study of the Indian subcontinent enjoys an illustrious past, yet one that in the modern age is often entangled with the practice of empire. This entanglement has often shaped – and restricted – efforts to place the histories of South Asia into a global context.
And yet, a host of historical and contemporary issues–migration, diaspora, war, refugees, environmental change, religion, to name but a few—urgently call for research agendas that explore South Asia internationally and globally. South Asia’s growing importance for international politics provides further motivation for historical engagement that can shed light on pressing contemporary concerns and seemingly enduring problems.
What is NIHSA?
NIHSA was founded in 2019. Our members come from universities and research institutes in South Asia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Europe. They research and publish cutting-edge work within multiple fields including History, International Relations, Anthropology, and International Development.
Objectives
Our network has three aims:
- To act as a hub for the dissemination of cutting-edge research on the international past of South Asia as widely as possible;
- To expand the momentum in the field through workshops, conference panels, and public events;
- To develop international and interdisciplinary research collaborations.
This comes with a twin commitment:
- To foster greater dialogue between scholars and the wider public, from policy interlocutors to anyone interested in History and South Asia.
- To create and share accessible content about South Asia in its historical and international context.
- To establish stronger, more equal connections between the global south and global north.