Ashoka University

Arjunan’s research interest lies in the interaction of Eurasian steppe nomads with South Asia. His doctoral research focuses on the influence of Hūṇas and Turk Śāhis on the Political, Social, and Cultural dynamics of the Indian subcontinent between the 5th Century CE and the 9th Century CE. Arjunan has done his BA (Hons.) in History from Hindu College, University of Delhi, and obtained his MA in History with gold medal from the University of Hyderabad. His MA dissertation, completed under the supervision of Prof. Suchandra Ghosh, was titled ‘Situating the Hūṇas in Political and Social History of India (5 th Century CE – 9 th Century CE)’. Before starting his PhD at Ashoka University, he worked as a research intern on the project titled ‘Representation, Self-Representations, and Narrations: Exploring the Twin Sites of Sannati and Kanaganahalli in Northern Karnataka in Early Historic Period’ at the University of Hyderabad. He participated in the field excavation named ‘Mongolia’s Ancient Cities: Archaeological Excavation with the Uyghur Cultural Heritage Project’ held in Tsagaan Sumiin Balgas, Mongolia, organised by the American Center for Mongolian Studies. Arjunan knows English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi and is currently learning Mongolian and Sanskrit. Apart from his research topic, he has a great interest in Mongolian history, Central Asian and East Asian history, Epigraphy, Numismatics, and Archaeology.