Deccan Studies Program

The Deccan Studies Program is a pioneering four-week immersion that offers undergraduate students a unique opportunity to engage with the history, architecture, and cultural legacy of the Deccan region. Designed as an academic internship, this program combines intensive site visits, expert-led lectures, hands-on restoration experiences, and interdisciplinary research to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Deccan’s artistic, political, and economic history. The 2025 pilot edition, running from July 7 to August 7, will be conducted in collaboration with DHF India, Ashoka University, Kakatiya Trust, and Mysore University, welcoming 20 selected students from diverse academic backgrounds, including history, art, architecture, business, and science.

Program Overview

The program is structured into four major phases, each focusing on different historical and architectural traditions of the Deccan:

1. Hyderabad, Warangal & Bidar (July 7-11): Students will begin their journey in Telangana, studying the Kakatiya heritage at Warangal, Palampet, and Ghanpur, followed by explorations of Golconda’s Qutb Shahi legacy and the Asaf Jahi monuments of Hyderabad. The final day in Bidar will focus on the Bahmani capital, its fort, and the Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan.

2. Hampi & Chalukyan Sites (July 11-16): The Vijayanagara capital of Hampi will serve as a living classroom for studying temple architecture, urban planning, and imperial history. Coracle rides to the Vitthala temple, discussions on conservation at the restored Gagan Mahal, and visits to Badami, Lakkundi, and Dambal will deepen students’ understanding of the Chalukyan and Vijayanagara architectural traditions.

3. Hoysala Legacy (July 16-17): Traveling to Belur and Halebidu, participants will analyze the high medieval sculptural traditions of the Hoysala dynasty, contrasting them with earlier and later Deccan architectural movements.

4. Mysore & Hands-On Restoration (July 17-August 7): The final phase in Mysore will offer students practical exposure to conservation techniques at the Jayalakshmi Vilas Museum, site visits to Somanathapura and Srirangapatna, and lectures on museography and economic planning for heritage sustainability. In some cases, students will be asked to build financial templates for sustainable maintenance of select sites. The program will culminate in student presentations on site management and conservation strategies.

Faculty & Experts

The program brings together leading scholars, conservationists, and restoration specialists, including Dr. Helen Philon, Dr. Marika Sardar, Prof. Srikumar Menon, Prof. Pushkar Sohoni, Dr. Kamalika Bose, and Anirudh Kanisetti, among others. Participants will benefit from their expertise in Deccan history, architecture, conservation, and heritage economics.

Eligibility & Application

The 2025 edition is open to undergraduate students across disciplines, with selection based on academic interest and relevance to their field of study. Students from Ashoka University, Shiv Nadar University, Kakatiya Trust, Mysore University, and Krea University will have dedicated spots, with potential scholarships available.

This fully immersive experience will not only equip students with academic insights but also expose them to real-world conservation challenges, preparing them to bridge the gap between heritage preservation and economic sustainability.