Master of Arts (MA) History | Sri Guru Gobind Singh College

Two-Year PG Programme

A deep engagement with the past — ancient, medieval and modern

The Master of Arts in History at SGGS is a two-year postgraduate programme (four semesters) affiliated to Panjab University, designed for students who want to engage critically with historical sources, debates and methods — from ancient civilisations and medieval polities to the modern world, with a strong grounding in Indian and Punjab history.

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Areas of Study

Four broad streams of historical enquiry

Ancient History

Indian & World

Early civilisations, classical empires, religious and intellectual traditions — from the Indus Valley to the ancient Mediterranean.

Medieval History

Polity & Society

Sultanates, the Mughal Empire, regional kingdoms, economy and culture in the medieval world.

Modern & Contemporary

15th – 20th Century

Colonialism, nationalism, India's struggle for freedom, and the making of the modern world.

Punjab & Sikh History

Regional Focus

Ancient and early medieval Punjab, the Sikh tradition, and Punjab's journey from c.1000 AD to 1947.

Official Course Details

Duration, seats & minimum eligibility

Course Name	Duration	Seats	Minimum Eligibility
MA History I	2 - Year (4 Semesters)	60	i) A candidate who has passed Bachelor's degree (BA / BA Hons.) with History as one of the subjects from Panjab University or any other recognised University, with the minimum aggregate prescribed by Panjab University. Admission is subject to merit and availability of seats as per Panjab University admission guidelines 2026-27.
MA History II	2 - Year (4 Semesters)	60	A student who has passed MA History I from Panjab University Chandigarh, or from any other University recognised by PU with the same subjects / scheme of the prescribed course, or shall have to pass the deficient subjects, subject to availability of seats.
Without History at Bachelor's	—	—	Candidates without History at the Bachelor's level may be considered as per Panjab University's bridge / equivalence rules. For exact conditions, please refer to PU's MA admission notification for the current session.

For details: Refer to Panjab University Admission Guidelines 2026-27 (www.puchd.ac.in) and the latest SGGS Prospectus. Fractions of marks below the requisite percentage are not rounded off in the candidate's favour.

Programme Overview

Core papers build the foundation

The MA History programme at SGGS is structured across four semesters under Panjab University's curriculum, combining compulsory core papers in ancient, medieval and modern history with electives that allow students to specialise in periods, regions or themes of their choice. The programme emphasises critical reading of primary sources, historiographical debates and research-led writing.

Indicative — The paper structure reflects the broad shape of the MA. For the current semester-wise syllabus and the exact list of electives for the current session, please consult the latest Prospectus or Panjab University's official MA History syllabus.

Core Areas of Study

History of Ancient India and the Ancient World
History of Medieval India and the Medieval World
Modern India and India's Struggle for Freedom
History of Punjab — ancient, medieval and modern
Historiography and Research Methods

Indicative Themes

Areas you can explore

Through core papers and electives, MA History students engage with a wide range of periods, regions and approaches. The actual electives permitted vary by session and depend on PU's latest curriculum.

Indicative list — Refer to the current Prospectus and Panjab University's MA History syllabus for the exact papers offered this session.

Ancient India

Up to c. 1200 CE — polity, economy, culture

Medieval India

c. 1200 – 1947 CE — sultanates and empire

Freedom Struggle

India's struggle for freedom and partition

Contemporary India

Post-independence politics, economy, society

Ancient World

Civilisations of the ancient Mediterranean and beyond

Medieval World

Eurasian and global medieval histories

Modern World (15th–18th C)

Renaissance, exploration, early modernity

Modern World (19th–20th C)

Industrial age, world wars and decolonisation

Ancient & Early Medieval Punjab

Region, polity and culture in early Punjab

Sikh History & Tradition

Gurus, polity and the Sikh experience

Historiography

Approaches, debates and writing of history

Research Methods

Sources, archives and historical method

Two Important Conditions

For MA History admissions

Aggregate & Rounding

Admission is strictly by merit on aggregate Bachelor's marks as prescribed by Panjab University. As per PU rules, fractions of marks less than the requisite percentage are not rounded off in the candidate's favour — e.g. 49.9% will not be rounded to 50%.

Compartment / Deficient Subjects

All compartment candidates must fulfil the requirements prescribed by Panjab University under its rules and regulations governing admissions. Students with deficient subjects from the previous year must clear them within the prescribed PU chances.

Duration

Two years across four semesters, as per Panjab University's MA curriculum.

Eligibility

Bachelor's degree with History as one of the subjects, with the minimum aggregate prescribed by PU (see the table above for full conditions).

Career Opportunities

Civil services (UPSC / PCS), teaching and academia, archaeology, museology, archives, heritage tourism, journalism, research and postgraduate studies including PhD and NET / JRF.

Ready to apply? The MA History programme prepares students for academic research, civil services and culture-sector careers. Begin your application here.