This endowment aims at the propagation of research and dissemination of study of ancient, medieval and pre-modern (until 1900s) art, archaeology, architecture, culture and history of India.

Dr. Devangana Desai Endowment Programme was instituted at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in 2017, by Dr. Devangana Desai, an eminent art historian of ancient and medieval Indian art. This endowment aims at the propagation of research and dissemination of study of ancient, medieval and pre-modern (until 1900s) art, archaeology, architecture, culture and history of India. There are three activities slated under this Programme-

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai announces scholarships at senior and junior levels. The scholarships will support research in ancient, medieval and pre modern (until 1900s) art, archaeology, architecture, culture and history of India.

Details of Scholarship

Scholarship Period

1 year December, 2022 to November, 2023

Stipends

Senior scholars will receive a total endowment amount of Rs. 2,50,000/- while Junior scholars will a receive total endowment amount of Rs.1,50,000/-

Eligibility

Master’s graduates, PhD candidates, postdoctoral scholars, and senior researchers are eligible to apply.

Application

The detailed requirements and procedures for application are mentioned in the brochure [Click here to download]

Download the application form for Junior Scholarship here

Download the application form for Senior Scholarship here

Application Deadline

Last date for application submission is September 30, 2022.

Kindly Note – Individuals may not apply for other fellowships or scholarships once the scholarship has been awarded.

Since its inception, the scholarships have been awarded to:

Senior Scholars

Dr. Susan Mishra (2018-2019): Sculpting the Religious Landscape of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (3rd century BCE to 13th century CE)

Dr K. Kesava Rajarajan (2022-2023): Temple-Cars of Far South: Survey and Documentation

Junior Scholars

Jason Johns (2018-2019): Cross-cultural study of early Christian trends, dialogue, interaction & impact between Middle East & India

Girish Naphade (2019-2020): Stylistic evolution at Markandeshvara Temple and other influences from Khajuraho School

Avradeep Munshi (2019-2020): Study of Mason marks found over monuments with special reference to the medieval architecture of Panchmahal district of Gujarat

Ar Sushant Bharati (2022-2023): The “Burial” Architecture of the Braj Region

About Dr. Devangana Desai

An eminent art historian of ancient and medieval Indian art, Dr. Devangana Desai has several publications on religious imagery and iconography. Dr. Desai is a member of the Board of Trustees of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai, and a Trustee of Sarabhai Foundation (Calico Museum), Ahmedabad. She was the Vice-President of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai until recently, and an Hon. Editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, from 1992 to 2009. She was a Consultant on a Project on the Museum Images of Khajuraho, Franco-Indian Research, Mumbai. She also served as a Chairperson of the Museum Society of Bombay for nine years, from 1983 to 1992. She was recently awarded the Hirayama Prize (2015) by Institut de France, Paris, for “the totality of researches in the field of Indian Art”. The Asiatic Society of Mumbai conferred upon her an Honorary Fellowship in November, 2017.

Dr. Desai has also sponsored the reorganisation of the Indian Sculpture Gallery at the CSMVS dedicating it to the memory of her late husband Mr. Jayant V. Desai.