Overview
India enjoys a global reputation for producing eminent historians, archivists, and archaeologists. In this tradition, the Research Centre of the Department of History under the University of Calicut, recognized in 2016, promotes a strong research culture among students, scholars, and faculty. The Centre aims to enhance knowledge across diverse areas of history, from macro-level perspectives to micro-level studies.
A distinctive feature of the Centre is its focus on empowering students from Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and other marginalized communities, especially from rural and Attappadi regions. As many students come from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the department supports them through academic and co-curricular initiatives that foster intellectual, cultural, and social development.
Strategic Priorities
The Centre currently has three research guides, and twelve research scholars have completed their Ph.D. registration. It is supported by well-maintained facilities, including an Archaeological Museum and a Megalithic Museum, which enhance research and learning. The department emphasizes the study of history as a means to understand political, economic, social, and cultural roots, while promoting values of humanism, democracy, and social responsibility.
Tribal, Dalits, Minorities and Marginalized Studies
The Centre gives special emphasis to research on tribal communities of Attappadi, particularly the Irular, Kurumba, and Muduga groups. These communities have a rich cultural heritage closely linked to nature, which has been impacted by external interventions. Student projects, faculty research, and publications are largely focused on tribal and Dalit studies, along with minority cultures and issues.
Tribal Arts, Traditional Songs and Dance
The Centre also documents and promotes tribal arts, traditional songs, and dance forms. The tribes of Attappadi possess unique artistic traditions such as folk songs, drumming, kolams, and ritual performances dedicated to deities and ancestors. These cultural expressions, performed in their native languages and styles, represent a valuable heritage that the Centre actively preserves and studies.
Research Guides
| Sl. No. | Name | Research Centre | Area of Interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Junais P | ||
| 2 | Dr. Sivadasan T.P | ||
| 3 | Dr. Salahudeen O.P |
Research Scholars
| Sl. No. | Scholar Name | Date of Registration | Guide Name | Title of Thesis | Category | Nature of Fellowship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shareena Jasmin. P K | 2019-08-07 | Dr. O.P Salahudheen | The Ideologies And Identities Of Insanity: The Emergence Of Lunatic Asylums In Colonial Kerala. | - | - |
| 2 | Deepu S Thampi | 2020-11-18 | Dr. Junais P | Cites Of Exchange: Factors Determining The Location Of Early Historic Ports Of Tamilakam | - | - |
| 3 | Mirfathbeevi P M | 2020-11-18 | Dr. Junais P | Confronting With Colonial Modernity:Retrospecting The Development Of Transport And Communication Facilities In Colonial Cochin(1840-1949) | - | - |
| 4 | Mr. Chitrameghan C | 2022-05-23 | Dr. Sivadasan T. P | The Mystical Reality Of The Folk Art Of Magic In The 20th Century Kerala : a Transitional Phase | - | - |
| 5 | Nafia CT | 2022-08-31 | Dr. Sivadasan T. P | Role Of Social Institutions In The Welfare Of Visually Challenged In Malabar (1955 – 2020) | - | - |
| 6 | Jaseela N N | 2020-11-23 | Dr. Junais P | Gendering In Medical Care: Midwifery Practices In Colonial And Post- Colonial South Malabar. | - | - |
| 7 | Muhammed Saddam I | 2020-10-05 | Dr. Junais P | Maritime Space And Pre-Modern Transformation In North Malabar | - | - |
| 8 | Aslam P | 2020-10-07 | Dr.O.P Salahudheen | Caste And Hierarchy: Influence Of Indigenous Social Order In The Malabar Mappila Community During The Colonial Period | - | - |
| 9 | Soofiya Mahmood | 2020-10-09 | Dr.O.P Salahudheen | Muslim Migration And Settlements In South Kerala: Mapping Socio-Cultural Symbiosis And Political Impacts | - | - |
| 10 | Rajesh.V | 2022-12-09 | Dr. Sivadasan T. P | The Contribution Of Asari Community On Temple Architecture And Their Role In The Socio-Cultural Sphere In The Mediaeval Malabar | - | - |
| 11 | Roopesh A K | 2020-12-18 | Dr.O.P Salahudheen | Locating Exodus Caste Groups In The Cultural Formation Of North Kerala 1920 To 1980. | - | - |
| 12 | Saritha P | 2024-03-13 | Dr. Sivadasan T. P | Servitude And Serfdom Of Agrarian Slave Castes Of South Malabar (1792 - 1969) | - | - |
Student Publication
| Sl. No. | Title | Author | Journal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trade, Migration, Settlement and Space-making: Locating Cutchi Memons in the Domain of Cochin | Soofiya Mahmood | Proceedings of South Indian History Congress 41 |
| 2 | The Politics of Incarcerating the Insane: The case of Calicut Lunatic Asylum | Shareena Jasmin P K | Proceedings of South Indian History Congress 41 |
| 3 | Social Repercussions of the Art of Magic in Indian Society: An Ethnographic Analysis | Chitrameghan.C | Proceedings of South Indian History Congress 41 |
| 4 | Imaginations and Mystery : Questioning the Perplexed Superstitions through Reality and Abstracts | Chitrameghan.C | Proceedings of South Indian History Congress 42 |
| 5 | Female Madness and its Management: Exploring Perceptions of Gender and Insanity in the Lunatic Asylums of Calicut,Kerala | Shareena Jasmin P K | Proceedings of South Indian History Congress 42 |
| 6 | The Kavalappara Swaroopam Interplay of power, culture and colonialism in Kerala History | Nafia C.T. | International Journal of history |
| 7 | The Dark Arts of India Ethical and Moral Challenges in Indian Magic | Chitrameghan.C | Proceedings of South Indian History Congress 43 |
| 8 | The Asari Community Masters of Vasthuhara and the Traditional Architecture of Kerala | Rajesh.V | Proceedings of South Indian History Congress 42 |
| 9 | Locating the role of the VBishwakarma caste in the development of Temple Architecture in Medieval Kerala | Rajesh.V | Proceedings of South Indian History Congress 42 |
| 10 | Black gold The Role of Black pepper in the early Historic maritime exchange between south India and Medieval world | Deepu S. Thampi | Proceedings of South Indian History Congress 42 |
List of PhD Awarded
| Sl. No. | Scholar | Guide | Status | Full/Part Time | Thesis Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shareena Jasmin. P K | Dr. O.P Salahudheen | Awarded | full_time | The Ideologies And Identities Of Insanity: The Emergence Of Lunatic Asylums In Colonial Kerala. |