Profile picture of Ravinder Kumar

Ravinder Kumar

Ph.D. candidate and Graduate Employee
History
Phone: 5415799292
Office: 350G McKenzie Hall
Office Hours: Fall 2023,Monday 10am to 12pm
Research Interests: British colonial India, the colonial and post-colonial states, and their interaction with indigenous communities, especially the nomadic and denotified tribes

Biography

Hello, I am Ravinder Kumar, from Haryana, India. My intellectual journey has traversed diverse terrains within history. My educational journey commenced in my home state, culminating in a Bachelor of Science degree from Government PG College Narnaul. 
 
In 2017, I earned my Master's degree in history from the University of Rajasthan. The ensuing years, from 2017 to 2021, witnessed a myriad of engagements, including intensive preparations for government exams, immersive studies of historical intricacies, and the gratifying experience of teaching high school students in my hometown. Notably, my academic journey took a transformative turn when I crossed paths with the eminent researchers Dr Rama Shanker Singh and Dr Nishikant Kolge, whose profound scholarship significantly shaped my dedication to the field of history and provided the impetus to my research aspirations.
 
In 2021, I secured the Junior Research Fellowship through the University Grant Commission of India's National Eligibility Test, paving the way for my doctoral degree endeavors. I enrolled in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Madras, where, over two enriching years, I immersed myself in rigorous coursework under the mentorship of Professor Sudhir Chella Rajan and Dr Sonika Gupta, navigating through a diverse array of courses as part of my comprehensive coursework.
 
Seeking to broaden my academic horizons, I made a conscientious decision to join the Department of History at the University of Oregon as a PhD student. Under the guidance of Dr. Arafaat Valiani, my research interests have taken a renewed focus on British colonial India, delving into the intricate dynamics between colonial and post-colonial states and their interactions with indigenous communities, particularly the nomadic and denotified tribes. My research project aims to unravel the impact of colonial and post-colonial policies on the health and well-being of these marginalized communities.
 
On a linguistic note, my proficiency extends across Hindi, English, Punjabi, Haryanvi, and some Urdu. As a graduate employee in history, my ardor for teaching and writing finds expression in my academic pursuits. Beyond the scholarly realm, my passions extend to politics, poetry, cinema, and the rich tapestry of Hindi literature.