Prof. Lavanya Vemsani Publishes Two Books On Indian History

India-West Staff Reporter

PORTSMOUTH, OH – Shawnee State University Professor of History and Religious Studies, Dr. Lavanya Vemsani, has released two new scholarly works: Reframing India in World History and Handbook of Indian History, both offering bold new perspectives on the study of India’s past.

Published by Lexington Books and Bloomsbury, Reframing India in World History examines civilizational patterns rooted in India, reinterpreting traditional theories through the lens of fresh evidence. The book traces the country’s historical trajectory from ancient times to the present day, challenging colonial frameworks that have long shaped historical narratives.

“This book is the culmination of over a decade of research into India’s deeper historical patterns,” said Dr. Vemsani. “I dedicate it to all colonized peoples. While political colonization may have ended, many independent nations continue to bear the weight of colonial knowledge, which must be dismantled to achieve true independence.”

Her second release, Handbook of Indian History, published by Springer, offers a comprehensive and innovative overview of India’s past. Covering topics from ancient civilizations to post-independence developments, the book compiles new data and insights from leading scholars around the world.

“This handbook brings together cutting-edge research on key themes in Indian history,” said Dr. Vemsani. “Both books, released at the start of the new year, represent a significant step toward decolonizing historical scholarship.”

Vemsani, who joined SSU in 2006, is a scholar in history and religious studies. She was a recipient of the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award in 2021 for her contributions to historical research and international academic collaboration.