Historian Romila Thapar criticized the removal of Mughal history from NCERT textbooks at the Kerala Literature Festival 2026. She stated that history is a continuous process and cannot be understood in fragments, calling such removals 'absurd' and 'nonsense' as they distort historical understanding.
01/12/2025
Romila Thapar celebrated her 94th birthday, marking over six decades of fundamentally transforming the understanding of ancient India. She is recognized as one of the most influential historians of the modern era, having introduced modern social science inquiry and conceptual frameworks to the study of early Indian civilization.
Do you like Romila Thapar?
You can vote only once.
Bio/Wiki
Profession(s)
Historian
Professor
Author
Famous For
Authoring books about Indian history
Physical Stats & More
Height
161 cm (5’ 3”)
Eye Color
Black
Hair Color
Grey
Educational Qualification(s)
Education
PhD
College/University
Miranda House, University of Delhi
Panjab University, Chandigarh
School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
Wadia College, Pune
Major Works/Books
Aśoka and the Decline of the Mauryas
Ancient Indian Social History: Some Interpretations
General President of the Indian History Congress in 1983
A Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy in 1999
Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship in 1976
Co-winner with Peter Brown of the Kluge Prize for the Study of Humanity for 2008
A Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2009
Honorary D.Litt. from Calcutta University
Honorary D.Litt. from Oxford University
Honorary D.Litt. from Chicago University
Honorary Fellow of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
Honorary Fellow of SOAS, London University
PG National Award 2024
Positions Held
Reader in Ancient Indian History at Kurukshetra University (1961-1963)
Reader in Ancient Indian History at Delhi University (1963-1970)
Professor of Ancient Indian History at Jawaharlal Nehru University (1970-1991)
Professor of Ancient History, Emerita, at Jawaharlal Nehru University
Visiting Professorships
Cornell University
University of Pennsylvania
Collège de France in Paris
Favourites
Favourite Historian(s)
Eric Hobsbawm
A. L. Basham
Favourite Subject(s)
Botany
Ancient History
Favourite Leader
Mahatma Gandhi
Favourite Sports
Horse Riding
Swimming
Some Lesser Known Facts
1. Romila Thapar is a highly acclaimed Indian historian known for her work on Ancient India.
2. She holds the title of Professor Emerita at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi.
3. Romila was born into a Punjabi family, with her father having served as the Director General of the Indian Armed Forces Medical Services.
4. Her primary area of expertise lies in the study of Ancient India.
5. Her upbringing involved a strong focus on education; her maternal grandfather insisted that all his daughters, including Romila's mother, be graduates.
6. Romila's academic journey started at St Mary’s School in Pune, where she was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's principles.
7. Her passion for history was nurtured by her father, leading her to pursue higher studies in the UK under the guidance of A.L. Basham.
8. Upon completing her studies, Romila chose to return to India and develop her career in academia.
9. She has held notable positions at institutions like Kurukshetra University, Delhi University, and JNU.
10. Despite her contributions to historical research, Romila Thapar has faced criticism for her perceived political leanings.
11. Her father gave her the choice between a dowry or further studies in London, and she chose to study.
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate.Report an error
