Concept Note

Regional History Today: Theoretical Paradigms, Concerns and Practices

The nationalist history writing often glosses over the regional differences and the micro/ minor narratives of various regions are often drowned in the mainstream account of the state. The recent theoretical/ historiographical approaches to history writing- Subaltern Studies, Social History, People’s History, Cultural History, postmodern approach a la Hayden White, Oral History, Micro History- offer us different ways to overcome the statism, elitism and other myopias of mainstream history writing. This issue of Exploring History proposes to investigate the theoretical and practical issues surrounding regional history writing in India today with empirical notes from different region of the country. The journal believes that regional history can enrich, supplement and even redirect national history-writing by providing a different frame and input to the national narrative. This issue of Exploring History, thus, inaugurates a sustained investigation of the regional and cultural history of India and calls for a recognition of the ‘agency’ of ‘particularities’ of ‘the region’.

Subthemes (Not restricted):

• Current Historiographical Debates and Regional History Writing
• Santal Rebellion of Various Regions of India
• Social History of the Adivasi Communities
• Architecture of Different Regions
• Bhakti, Vaishnavism and Sufi Traditions of Different Regions
• Cultural History of Different Regions
• Living History of Different Regions of India
• Oral Narratives and Regional History Writing

Style sheet: Please follow the Chicago Manual (latest) for works-cited and in-text citations.

Details for Sending Abstracts:

Please send your abstract to exploringhistorygm@gmail.com on or before 30 July 2025. We will intimate you about acceptance of your abstract by 30 September 2025. The abstract should be within 250 words with a clear mention of the region and issues addressed, and clear theoretical and empirical focus.