THE 5th TIFR FOUNDATION DAY LECTURE - Questioning the Past : an Exercise in Early Indian History

ABSTRACT:
The interpretation of early Indian history was first inherited from colonial scholars. This was later questioned by nationalist historians. All these interpretations were re-assessed in the 1960s and 70s. Some were retained, others discarded. History moved from being part of Indology to becoming a social science. This meant drawing out the historical inter-face between society, economy, religion and culture in an attempt at a more meaningful understanding of the past.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Prof. Romila Thapar, an eminent historian, is also a prolific author. She has several distinctions bestowed on her. Some of them are Distinguished Visiting Professor, Cornell University, Visiting Kluge Chair at the Library of Congress, in Washington DC. Currently she is Professor Emerita, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.