Delhi Government Approves New Archaeology and Archives Research Fellowships
The Delhi government has approved two new annual research fellowship programmes, focusing on archives and archaeology, to strengthen the conservation and documentation of the national capital's historical heritage. The schemes, titled 'Research Fellowship in Archives' and 'Research Fellowship in Archaeology', will support 27 researchers annually to conduct studies across key historical areas, including the Delhi Ridge and the Yamuna basin.
The Department of Delhi Archives and the Department of Archaeology will implement the respective programmes. The initiative aims to build a skilled pool of professionals in archival science, archaeology, and heritage conservation, while promoting modern research methods, digitisation, and conservation technologies.
Under the 'Research Fellowship in Archives' scheme, the government will engage 15 researchers every year for a one-year term. This will include 10 Senior Research Fellows (SRFs) who will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000, and five Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) who will receive Rs 25,000 per month.
The archives fellowship will focus on seven key areas, including records management, conservation and preservation of archival material, digitisation, micro-filming, and oriental languages such as Urdu and Persian. Selected fellows will utilise rare manuscripts, maps, photographs, and administrative records to study Delhi's institutional history, urban expansion, environmental history, and social life.
Meanwhile, the 'Research Fellowship in Archaeology' will support 12 researchers annually. This includes three SRFs each in archaeology and conservation, who will receive Rs 50,000 a month, and three JRFs in both disciplines, who will receive Rs 25,000 a month.
Research under the archaeology fellowship will cover topics such as the earliest settlements in the Delhi Ridge and Yamuna basin, the Painted Grey Ware and Northern Black Polished Ware cultures, early historic Delhi, trade routes, and the archaeology of the Yamuna floodplain. It will also address the conservation of Delhi monuments, digital conservation, heritage conservation amidst climate change, public archaeology, and encroachment issues.
According to government officials, the fellowships are expected to contribute to the long-term preservation of Delhi's documentary and archaeological heritage. Researchers will be encouraged to publish their findings and organise exhibitions and outreach programmes to improve public engagement with the city's history.
