The Department of History, Easwari School of Liberal Arts (ESLA) is organising a National Symposium on Andhra in Historical Perspective: Pre-Colonial Histories of Gender, Religion, Trading Networks and Heritage on March 06, 2026.
This symposium seeks to engage with the historical significance of ‘Andhra’ as a distinct cultural and political region in the pre-colonial period by situating it within its broader Deccan context, focusing on the historical change. It aims to bring the region’s rich archaeological and architectural heritage, particularly the Buddhist sites of Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda, and other important sites that testify to diverse religious and trade networks, and patterns of patronage that shaped pre-colonial Andhra society to the forefront. By bringing together scholars working on diverse historiographical and methodological approaches, the symposium also intends to generate critical discussions on historiographical debates, gender relations, and trading networks in pre-colonial Andhra, highlighting the intersections of gender, religion, economy, and power. Hosted at Amaravati, a site of profound historical and archaeological significance, the event aims to deepen academic engagement at ESLA and SRM-AP while broadening interdisciplinary dialogue rooted in the region’s historical landscape and increasing engagement for scholars and students looking at the themes and related histories of the region.
Speakers
Prof. Aloka Parasher Sen, Professor Emerita, University of Hyderabad
Prof R. Mahalakshmi, Centre of Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Prof. Suchandra Ghosh, Department of History, University of Hyderabad