PhD in History - South Asian History in New York United States | New York University

The study of South Asian history has served as a focal point for significant scholarly discussions, ranging from examinations of ancient maritime trade networks to analyses of imperial governance structures, nationalist movements, independence struggles, as well as subaltern studies, postcolonial theory, and globalization trends - all of which have influenced historical methodology far beyond the region. Scholars approach early modern and contemporary South Asian history through diverse lenses, as reflected in our faculty's expertise, which encompasses various temporal periods, geographic areas, and conceptual frameworks for graduate research, with an emphasis on projects that connect to broader global developments.

Our South Asia specialists conduct research that transcends traditional boundaries of region (northern and southern areas), language (including Bengali, Tamil, Hindi, and Urdu), historical period (from pre-modern to modern eras), and thematic focus (covering social, intellectual, and cultural dimensions). The program promotes comparative and globally-oriented methodologies for understanding South Asia's social, intellectual, and cultural evolution. It strengthens and expands upon departmental strengths in international historical comparison, studies of imperial and post-imperial systems, and investigations into social and intellectual transformations.