We are delighted to announce that Prof. Samira Sheikh would be the fifth Obaid Siddiqi Chair for the academic year 2025-26. The Obaid Siddiqi Chair in the History and Culture of Science is an initiative designed to bridge the gap between the sciences, social sciences, and humanities (https://archives.ncbs.res.in/OS). It is made possible by a generous grant from the TNQ Foundation. This chair aims to deepen interdisciplinary understanding of the history and culture of science.
Prof. Samira Sheikh is a historian of South Asia with a focus on the period between 1200 and 1950. Among her scholarly works is her book, Forging a Region: Sultans, Traders, and Pilgrims in Gujarat, 1200-1500 (Oxford India, 2010). She has also recently completed a book on the 18th-century town of Bharuch in Gujarat, exploring the dynamics between its nawab and minister during this period. Prof. Sheikh has a particular interest in Indian cartography, an often-overlooked aspect of the country’s history. During her tenure as Obaid Siddiqi Chair, her project will focus on two primary aspects: the creation of a book on pre-colonial maps of Gujarat, and the development of a website to explore and analyze these maps.
As the Siddiqi Chair, she aims to bring a fresh perspective to India’s scientific history, particularly through the history of cartography. “India has a rich but frequently overlooked history of mapping,” said Prof. Sheikh. “Today, most people associate maps with digital tools on mobile devices, which are seen as products of Western science and technology. This view is shaped by the history of modern cartography, which emerged during European colonialism when maps were used to control and exploit colonized lands. As a result, it is often assumed that Indians had few maps of their own.” She challenges this perception by exploring how Indians navigated their world before, during, and after colonialism. Of particular interest to her is the possibility of bringing together scholarship in the humanities and sciences, and exploring the collections at the Archives at NCBS in furthering this goal. “The premise of the Obaid Siddiqi Chair—to support scholarship at the intersection of the humanities and sciences—is both inspiring and exciting,” said Prof. Sheikh. "I am also delighted that Professor Siddiqi’s legacy continues at NCBS through this unique initiative to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue.”
The Obaid Siddiqi Chair is part of an active effort at NCBS to bring together scholars from a variety of disciplines and explore intersections with the sciences. “Researchers at NCBS represent natural sciences, mathematics and computer science to understand living systems and address biological problems,” said Prof. LS Shashidhara, Centre Director, NCBS. “Going beyond conventional research, NCBS actively promotes trans-disciplinary discussions on the nature and importance of science in society. In this context, we are excited to interact with Prof Samira Sheikh. We are grateful to the TNQ Foundation for their generous support of such initiatives, which allows us to interact with researchers working at the interphases of science, history, society, art and culture. This has truly enriched the quality and diversity of academic activities on the campus.”
0 Comments