One of the important objectives of establishing Shivaji University is to promote the studies in history, society and culture of Maharashtra. Eminent historians like Dr. Balkrishna, who had initially conceived the idea of a University in Kolhapur and Dr. Appasaheb Pawar, the first Vice-Chancellor of the University had made some purposeful efforts in this direction earlier. The Department of History which was established on 9th November 1964 is one of the pioneering departments of Shivaji University which undertook teaching, research and extension activities focusing on Indian History with emphasis on the history of the Marathas. There was a separate cell attached to this department which collected, translated and published important historical papers relating to Maratha history. This research cell brought out a number of good publications on Maratha history.

During last four decades the department has emerged as a vibrant department not only in Maharashtra State but also in the whole of South India. The Department has to its credit several valuable research publications particularly in Maratha History and many research projects funded by national agencies like UGC and Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi. Besides Maratha History the department has done pioneering research in the history of Southern Maratha Country states. Ours is the only department in Maharashtra where PhD’s have been produced on the history of princely states in large number. Our expertise and continuous research activities in Maratha History were acknowledged by the Maharashtra State Government by approving the establishment of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Centre for Studies of Maratha History and by providing financial support of Rs. One crore and eight posts for the centre. This centre is in fact an offshoot of our department.

Objectives:
Our goal is to promote teaching, research and extension programmes in Indian history in the context of world history.
The history courses, we believe, must adequately acquaint students with Indian ethos along with a critical understanding of Indian society, economy, polity and culture. Students at the same time must be acquainted with developments outside the country
To empower students to cope with the challenges of globalization

  Research Areas :

Maratha History, History of Modern Maharashtra and History of Southern Maratha Country are thrust areas of research of the department. To set up the Centre for Historical Studies, Research and Cultural Heritage in Shivaji University in course of time is our cherished goal.

  Academic Programmes Offered : 

• M.A.
• M.Phil
• Ph.D.

Bridge Courses:

•  P.G. Diploma Course in Museology: The department has introduced a self-supporting one year P.G. Diploma course in Museology from the academic year 2007 -2008. It is a need based course in Museology with job opportunities. The intake of this course is twenty-five.

• Many students of the department enroll for the Modi script classes. This activity is intended to help them in undertaking research in Maratha and Medieval Indian history.

  Course Structure :(Papers)

M. A. – I         Semester – I

Compulsory Papers

HS – 101         India in the Age of the Mauryas and the Guptas

HS – 102         Polity in Medieval India

Elective Papers (Any two)

HS – 103         Pre-historic beginnings to first urbanization.

HS – 104         Vedic Age.

HS – 105         India in post Gupta Period.

HS – 106         Cultural history of Medieval India.

HS – 107         Historiography of Medieval India (1000 – 1526)

HS – 108         British conquest of India.

HS – 109         Social Reform movement in 19^th Century India.

HS – 110         Political History of South India.

HS – 111         Cultural History of South India.

HS – 112         Socio-economic History of 19^th Century Maharashtra.

SE –  01           Social Exclusion and Discrimination.

OR

WS – 01          Introduction to Feminist Thought and Women’s Movements

Note  : -           M. A. History students can select Paper No. SE – 01 or WS – 01 for credit by choice.  M. A. non History students can select either paper No. HS – 109  or HS – 112  for credit by choice.

 M. A. – I         Semester – II

Compulsory Papers

 HS – 201         Polity & Economy under the Marathas.

HS – 202         India under the British crown (1857 – 1947).

 Elective Papers (Any Two)

 HS – 203         Religion and Philosophy in Ancient India.

HS – 204         Historiography of Ancient India.

HS – 205         Economic History of Medieval India.

HS – 206         Society and Religion in medieval India.

HS – 207         Historiography of Mughal India.

HS – 208         Social and Cultural History of the Marathas.

HS – 209         Consolidation of British rule in India.

HS – 210         India’s struggle for Independence.

HS – 211         Independent India (1947 – 1972).

HS – 212         Political History of Modern Maharashtra. 

SE –  02           Inclusive Policies for Eliminating Discrimination

OR

WS –  02         Gender and International Development

 Note  : -           M. A. History students can select Paper No.  SE – 02 or WS - 02 for credit by choice.  M. A. non History students can select either paper No. HS – 208 or HS – 210 for credit by choice.

M. A. – II Semester – III

Compulsory Papers :

HS – 301         Historical Method.

HS – 302         Modern World. (1900 – 1945)

 Elective Papers (Any Two):

HS – 303         Imperial and Nationalist China (1900 – 1949)

HS – 304         Rise of America as world power (1901 – 1945).

HS – 305         Ancient Afro – Asian Societies.

HS – 306         Socio – Economic history of Medieval Europe.

HS – 307         Agrarian economy of Colonial India.

HS – 308         Trade, Commerce and Banking in Colonial India.

HS – 309         Tourism : Principles and Practice.

HS – 310         History of Science and Technology in Europe.

HS – 311         Economic History of the 19^th Century India.

HS – 312         Development of Political and Social Ideas.

HS – 313         Indian Women through the ages (Ancient & Medieval).

HS – 314         History of Indian Museums.

HS – 315         Contemporary Maharashtra.

HS – 316         Liberation Movements in Africa.

HS – 317         Rise of Japan (1860 – 1945).

HS – 318         History of USSR till 1945.

 M. A.  – II Semester – IV

Compulsory Papers :

HS – 401         Philosophy of History.

HS – 402         Communist China (1949 – 2000)

Elective Papers (Any Two):

HS – 403         World History Since 1945.

HS – 404         Post War America (Truman to Bill Clinton)

HS – 405         Ancient European Societies.

HS – 406         Medieval Asian Societies.

HS – 407         Peasant Movements in Colonial India.

HS – 408         Industry & Business Houses in 20^th Century India.

HS – 409         Historical application in Tourism (with special Reference to South India.)  

HS – 410         History of Science & Technology in India.

HS – 411         Economic transformation in 20^th century India.

HS – 412         History of Religions & Philosophical Ideas.

HS – 413         Changing World of Indian Women in the 20^th Century.

HS – 414         Japan since 1945.

HS – 415         Rise & fall of Communist Russia.

HS – 416         History of Arab Israel conflict in the 20^th Century

HS – 417         History of Kolhapur State

 M.A. Part II  2008-2009 ( Pre-revised)

Compulsory Papers :

Paper V           Polity, Economy and Society under the Marathas (1600-1818)

Paper VI          Modern Maharashtra (1818-1990)

Paper VII

A) Ancient Societies

B) Medieval Societies

C) Women in Indian History

D) Agrarian System of Colonial India

Paper VIII

A Business History of India (c. AD 1700-1991)

                        B  Historical Application in Tourism

                        C. Economic History of India (c.AD 1757-1947)

                        D. History of Ideas

M. Phil.

Paper - I Methodology
Paper - II Recent Trends and Advances in History
Paper - III (Depth Study) Ancient Indian History Upto 1000 A.D.
                      OR
Medieval India 1000 A.D. - 1757 A.D.
                       OR
Maratha History
                        OR
Modern India

P.G. Diploma Course in Museology

Paper I             Introduction to  Museology                                                      

Paper II            Management & Organization of Museums                    

Paper III          Identification and Classification of Museum Objects      

Paper IV          Preservation & Conservation                                                   

Paper V           Study of Museums                                                       

A)        Study of Selected Museums in India                             

B)        Practical/ Project Work (Project based on a visit to a museum)                                    

• Original source material pertaining to Maratha History and History of Modern Maharashtra available in the Archival cell of the University Library, Shahu Research Centre and Chh. Shahu Maharaj Centre for Studies of Maratha History.

• Documents concerning Modern Maharashtra available in the Archival cell of the University Library.

• The department has a small library consisting of about 250 books. Many of these books are text books of history and the students can consult them in the department itself.

• The department also has a collection of maps, coins and paintings which are used as teaching aids.

• The department of history regularly implements the UGC scheme of Remedial coaching for SC/ST students. The aim is to bring the students of this category who lag behind in the regular studies of M.A. course on par with those in the forefront. In addition the students are coached in order to improve their languages particularly English and their communication skills

• The department also organizes coaching and workshops for students appearing for NET exams.

• The department also extends the students library facilities for preparing for NET/SET and other exams.

• The department as a Placement and Counseling cell to help the students in planning their careers

• The department faculty can provide valuable guidance to the students who are preparing for competitive examinations conducted at national and state level

• The faculty has the expertise to answer any enquiry related to research in History of India in general and history of Maharashtra in particular

• In recent years the department has focused its attention in developing the specializations of Historical applications in Tourism and Museology. The department now possesses the competence to provide advice and guidance related to these specializations.

• Faculty members frequently participate in public functions, deliver lectures on variety of topics, and occasionally contribute articles to newspapers and magazines. They can counsel the students on subjects and issues of social relevance.

Department also provides authentic information on important issues to government agencies and public institutions. Some examples of the consultancy done by the department are as follows:

1. The Resident Deputy Collector of Satara District had sent a letter to the Head of the History Department on 22th April 2002 inquiring about historical evidences regarding authenticity of the so-called tomb of Afzal Khan at Pratapgad, Dist. Satara.

2. Shri. Sanjay B. Gujar of Savarde , Taluka Chiplun, Dist. Ratnagiri , had sent a letter on 29th April 2002 . He wanted information about the following points:

   • Details about the Chiefs of Maratha Navy during the period from Chh. Shivaji to Chh. Rajaram

   • Details about the genealogy of Sarkhel Shidoji Gujar

3. Appointment of Prof. A.R. Bhosale on the government committee to finalize the birth date of Chh. Shahu Maharaja of Kolhapur. The government of Maharashtra had appointed a committee of experts to determine the exact birth date of Chh. Shahu Maharaja of Kolhapur. The important work of the committee was to examine the historical evidences pertaining to the birth-date controversy.

4. Shri. Rajendra Ghorpade of Pimpri (Pune) wrote a letter to Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor to help
   him in developing a website on “Mouni Maharaj of Patgaon”, Dist. Kolhapur.

5. The Director, State Archives of Maharashtra, had requested Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor to
   suggest names of suitable scholars to be appointed for the survey of historical manuscripts available in the three districts of Shivaji University jurisdiction.

6. Trevoir Baier, Research Assistant, Agricultural Engineering University of Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa had sent email to Dr. Avanish Patil on 28th February 2008 after reading his article on ‘Cane cultivation in the Princely State of Kolhapur’.

7. Mr. Parag Parbo of Goa University sent a email to Dr. Avanish Patil on 23rd May 2008. He wanted information about documents in Marathi or English or books in connection with rebellion of 1857 and Goa.

* Many faculty have worked on important academic bodies of Shivaji University and other universities. Some have worked as resource persons for state level and national level refresher courses and competitive examinations.

Head,
Department of History,
Email: history@unishivaji.ac.in