Room 019, Exhibition Hall
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Central Campus
Harmonious learning is critical in shaping one's comprehension of the world and enhancing one's capacity for independent thought. This was the central thought of Professor Sugata Bose's talk, "Asia After Europe: Imagining a Continent in the Long Twentieth Century." The talk explored the complex historical and cultural narratives that have shaped Asia over the 20th century, illuminating critical thinking about the interconnectedness of nations and cultures, especially during global turbulence.
Professor Bose stressed the availability of an array of possibilities in the face of challenges that can redefine relationships—both personal and international. Specifically, he remarked, "The challenges we face can inspire innovative ways of relating to one another," highlighting the potential for collaboration and understanding that can arise from adversity. The talk encouraged people to embrace their roles as active participants in research and dialogue, reminding them that students play an essential role in shaping future discussions.
Professor Sugata Bose, Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs at Harvard University, was in conversation with Guillaume Wadia, Assistant Professor at Ahmedabad University's School of Arts and Sciences, at the inaugural session of Nalanda for Winter semester 2024, an event designed to connect students with profound thinkers and foster meaningful dialogue.
Professor Sugata Bose is the Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs at Harvard University. He has served as Director of Graduate Studies in History at Harvard and as the Founding Director of Harvard’s South Asia Institute. Formerly a Fellow at St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, and Professor of History and Diplomacy at Tufts, he holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and studied at Presidency College, Calcutta. His acclaimed works include Modern South Asia: History, Culture, Political Economy (with Ayesha Jalal, 5th edition 2022), His Majesty’s Opponent: Subhas Chandra Bose and India’s Struggle against Empire (2011, 10th anniversary edition 2022), and most recently, Asia after Europe: Imagining a Continent in the Long Twentieth Century (2024). Professor Bose, a Guggenheim Fellow (1997) and Rabindra Puraskar recipient (2015), co-edited the 12-volume Collected Works of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. As a joint editor, he contributed to "Rabindranath Tagore, Purabi: The East in its Feminine Gender," translations of Tagore’s poetry by Charu C. Chowdhuri, and is the translator of Tagore’s songs in his book "Tagore the World Voyager." He has translated Tagore’s songs, produced Bengali music albums, and directed documentaries on South Asian history. From 2014–2019, he served as a Member of Parliament for Jadavpur, Bengal. He served on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, earning widespread acclaim for his eloquent speeches in defense of democracy.
Professor Guillaume Wadia is a historian of modern France and its empire with a focus on North Africa and the Middle East. He obtained his PhD from Harvard University in 2018 and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Mershon Center for International Security Studies at the Ohio State University during 2019-2020. His research has been supported by the centers for European Studies and Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard, the Social Science Research Council, and Sciences Po.
