The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) is an autonomous organization of the Government of India, established in 1972. It is headquartered in New Delhi. The ICHR is responsible for promoting and coordinating historical research in India. It does this by funding research projects, organizing conferences and seminars, and publishing books and journals.
- Establishment
- Funding
- Location
- Activities
- Publications
Establishment: Founded in 1972 by the Ministry of Education (Government of India), the ICHR is an autonomous organization dedicated to promoting historical research in India.
Funding: The ICHR receives financial support from various sources:
- Department of Higher Education grants
- Grants from Indian states
- Private donations
- Revenue from publication sales
Location: The ICHR headquarters are located in New Delhi, with regional centers in Pune (Maharashtra), Bengaluru (Karnataka), and Guwahati (Assam).
Activities: The ICHR plays a crucial role in fostering historical scholarship through a range of activities:
- Financial Assistance: Provides fellowships, grants, and financial aid to scholars pursuing historical research projects.
- Research Projects: Initiates new research projects covering various aspects of Indian history.
- Symposia and Conferences: Organizes symposia and conferences to facilitate scholarly exchange and debate on historical topics.
- Source Material Preservation: Undertakes projects to preserve and document historical sources, including manuscripts, archives, and inscriptions.
- Promotion of Languages: Supports the translation of historical works from English into various Indian languages to ensure wider accessibility.
Publications: The ICHR actively disseminates historical knowledge through its publications:
- Flagship Publications: These include commissioned research works, special series, and source volumes focusing on specific historical themes.
- Monographs: The ICHR publishes monographs containing in-depth studies on various historical subjects.
- Digital Initiatives: The ICHR has recently launched a new website, a digital library, and an e-office system, reflecting its commitment to digital preservation and accessibility.
The ICHR has a broad mandate to cover all aspects of Indian history, from ancient times to the present. It also has a mandate to promote research on the history of India’s relations with other countries.
The ICHR is governed by a board of trustees, which is appointed by the government of India. The board is responsible for setting the policies of the ICHR and overseeing its activities.
The ICHR is headed by a director-general, who is appointed by the government of India. The director-general is responsible for the day-to-day management of the ICHR.
The ICHR has a staff of about 100 people. The staff includes historians, research scholars, and administrative staff.
The ICHR has a number of research programs. These programs are designed to promote research on different aspects of Indian history. The ICHR also has a number of fellowship programs, which are designed to support young historians who are pursuing research in Indian history.
The ICHR organizes a number of conferences and seminars every year. These conferences and seminars are designed to bring together historians from different parts of India and the world. The ICHR also publishes a number of books and journals. These books and journals are designed to promote research on Indian history.
The ICHR has been a major force in promoting historical research in India. It has funded a large number of research projects, organized a number of conferences and seminars, and published a number of books and journals. The ICHR has also played a major role in promoting the study of Indian history in schools and colleges.
The ICHR has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability. It has also been criticized for its focus on promoting research on certain aspects of Indian history, while neglecting other aspects.
Despite these criticisms, the ICHR has played a major role in promoting historical research in India. It has funded a large number of research projects, organized a number of conferences and seminars, and published a number of books and journals. The ICHR has also played a major role in promoting the study of Indian history in schools and colleges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Indian Council of Historical Research?
The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) is an autonomous organization of the Government of India, established in 1972. It is headquartered in New Delhi. The ICHR is responsible for promoting and coordinating historical research in India. It does this by funding research projects, organizing conferences and seminars, and publishing books and journals.
What is the mandate of the ICHR?
The ICHR has a broad mandate to cover all aspects of Indian history, from ancient times to the present. It also has a mandate to promote research on the history of India’s relations with other countries.
How is the ICHR governed?
The ICHR is governed by a board of trustees, which is appointed by the government of India. The board is responsible for setting the policies of the ICHR and overseeing its activities.
Who is the director-general of the ICHR?
The director-general of the ICHR is appointed by the government of India. The director-general is responsible for the day-to-day management of the ICHR.
What are the research programs of the ICHR?
The ICHR has a number of research programs. These programs are designed to promote research on different aspects of Indian history. The ICHR also has a number of fellowship programs, which are designed to support young historians who are pursuing research in Indian history.
What are the conferences and seminars organized by the ICHR?
The ICHR organizes a number of conferences and seminars every year. These conferences and seminars are designed to bring together historians from different parts of India and the world. The ICHR also publishes a number of books and journals. These books and journals are designed to promote research on Indian history.
What are the criticisms of the ICHR?
The ICHR has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability. It has also been criticized for its focus on promoting research on certain aspects of Indian history, while neglecting other aspects.
What is the future of the ICHR?
The future of the ICHR is uncertain. The ICHR has been facing a number of challenges, including financial constraints and allegations of corruption. It is unclear whether the ICHR will be able to continue to play its role in promoting historical research in India.
Who funds ICHR’s projects?
The government allocates funds for ICHR’s research and initiatives.
How does ICHR support historians?
It provides grants and fellowships to historians for research projects.
Does ICHR focus on any specific time period?
It covers a wide range of historical periods from ancient to modern India.
Is ICHR involved in archaeological work?
Yes, it supports archaeological research to uncover India’s past.
Can individuals apply for grants from ICHR?
Yes, scholars and researchers can apply for funding for their historical projects.
Does ICHR publish research findings?
Yes, it publishes journals and books based on research supported by the council.
How does ICHR contribute to education?
It organizes seminars, workshops, and conferences to disseminate historical knowledge.
Does ICHR collaborate with international institutions?
Yes, it collaborates with foreign organizations to facilitate historical research exchange.
What are the eligibility criteria for ICHR grants?
Applicants typically need to have a background in history or related fields and propose a research project aligned with ICHR’s objectives.
MCQS
Who provides funding for historical research projects in India?
- a) Ministry of Education
- b) Ministry of Culture
- c) Ministry of Science and Technology
- d) Ministry of External Affairs
Which government body supports the preservation of India’s cultural heritage?
- a) National Archives of India
- b) Archaeological Survey of India
- c) Ministry of Human Resource Development
- d) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Which organization offers grants and fellowships to historians for their research work?
- a) Ministry of Home Affairs
- b) Ministry of Tourism
- c) Ministry of External Affairs
- d) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Where can scholars publish their research findings in the field of history?
- a) National Library of India
- b) Ministry of Culture’s website
- c) Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)
- d) University Grants Commission (UGC) approved journals
Which organization organizes seminars and conferences to promote historical knowledge?
- a) Ministry of Science and Technology
- b) Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
- c) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- d) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
Who was instrumental in the establishment of an organization in India dedicated to historical research?
- A) Mahatma Gandhi
- B) Jawaharlal Nehru
- C) Rabindranath Tagore
- D) Vallabhbhai Patel
When was the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) established?
- A) 1921
- B) 1947
- C) 1969
- D) 1984
What is the primary objective of the organization aimed at historical research in India?
- A) Promoting literary studies
- B) Preserving cultural artifacts
- C) Advancing historical knowledge
- D) Facilitating archaeological excavations
Which of the following is NOT a key function of the Indian Council of Historical Research?
- A) Granting scholarships and fellowships
- B) Publishing historical journals and books
- C) Organizing heritage walks and cultural festivals
- D) Conducting seminars and conferences
Who among the following served as the first Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research?
- A) R.C. Majumdar
- B) Romila Thapar
- C) Satish Chandra
- D) Bipan Chandra
The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) is funded by:
- A) Indian government
- B) UNESCO
- C) Ford Foundation
- D) World Bank
In which year did the Indian Council of Historical Research begin publishing its flagship journal?
- A) 1947
- B) 1969
- C) 1972
- D) 1984
The Indian Council of Historical Research primarily focuses on the study of:
- A) Modern history
- B) Ancient history
- C) Medieval history
- D) Contemporary history
Which of the following is NOT a grant-in-aid program offered by the Indian Council of Historical Research?
- A) National Fellowship
- B) General Research Grant
- C) Senior Academic Fellowship
- D) International Travel Grant
The Indian Council of Historical Research is affiliated with which ministry of the Government of India?
- A) Ministry of Culture
- B) Ministry of Education
- C) Ministry of External Affairs
- D) Ministry of Home Affairs