Prof. Suresh Sharma (b. 1945 - d. 2019) was a prominent historian, anthropologist and scholar, known for his expertise in history, culture, and identity of marginalized communities in India. His academic foundation was shaped at the University of Delhi, where he studied History.
Prof. Sharma’s long association with the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in Delhi spanned from 1977 to 2010. He started as an Associate Fellow and later served as a Professor and Senior Fellow in History and Anthropology. Between 2004 and 2007, he was the Director of the Centre.
In addition to his role at CSDS, he held numerous prestigious academic and advisory positions. These included serving as Associate Fellow of the Institut d’études avancées, Nantes (2010–2013), consultant to the United Nations University, Tokyo (1983–1986), and advisor to the National Museum of Man, Bhopal. He was also Senior Fellow at the Charles Wallace Fellowship, University of Hull, UK; member of the Planning Group for the Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University, Wardha; Fellow of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla (1995–1997); and Senior Fellow at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu, Berlin. Additionally, he served as a visiting professor at Jamia Millia Islamia University.
Prof. Sharma’s notable works include Tribal Identity and the Modern World (1994); M. K. Gandhi's Hind Swaraj: A Critical Edition (2010); and Adhunikta aur Pagan Sabhyatein (Modernity and Pagan Civilisations) (2012).
About the Collection: The papers of Prof. Suresh Sharma have been donated by his wife Mrs. Deepa Sharma. The collection contains handwritten notes, articles, draft copies, and settlement reports (Bilaspur, Ranchi, Mirzapur, territories of the Raja of Nagpur). There are archival notes on diamond mines at Sambhalpur, district gazetteers of Balaghat district (Central Provinces), land revenue reports, Survey of India reports, HRC Memorial Committee files, Lokayan papers & bulletins, and reports on the proceedings of the forest conference (1873-74). The collection also contains field notes, transcripts of interviews, administrative reports, notes on forest biodiversity and tribal communities in Bastar between 1983 and 1986 for his book Tribal Identity and the Modern World (1994). Besides his writings and notes, the material collected from various research libraries/archives in India and abroad for his writings are a useful resource material for sociologists and anthropologists.
Donor: Deepa Sharma
Acquisition: 2024