DU drops Delhi Sultanate paper from revised PG History syllabus, several proposed courses omitted

The University of Delhi has left out a specialized postgraduate paper on the Delhi Sultanate from its newly notified Semester III History syllabus, according to a report, alongside several other proposed courses.

The omitted paper, "The Delhi Sultanate: Structures of Authority in Medieval North India (13th-14th Centuries)," examined the development of the medieval state, political authority and the exercise of power in North India during the 13th and 14th centuries.

It also covered major political, religious and cultural developments of the period. The course had been offered as a core Medieval India paper for several decades.

The omission has drawn attention because of the paper's focused treatment of a significant period in Indian history. A History professor cited in the report said the postgraduate course was distinct from the Delhi Sultanate-related paper taught at the undergraduate level.

While the undergraduate course provides a broader survey of Indian history, the postgraduate paper approached the Delhi Sultanate through a more specialized historical and thematic framework, the professor said.

Another postgraduate paper, "History of North India, C 1400-1550," has also been excluded from the Semester III curriculum.

The revisions are not limited to medieval history. Other proposed papers absent from the final syllabus include "Gender and Women in Early India: 1500 BCE to 1000 CE," "Political Processes and Structure of Polities in Ancient India," and "Religion and Society in Ancient Indian Literature."

DU's History Department had initially proposed 38 Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) papers for Semester III. However, only 16 appear in the final notified syllabus, leaving 22 proposed electives outside the notification.

The university document states that the revised postgraduate History program follows PGCF 2024 under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and takes effect from July 2026.

University records also show that several proposed courses continue to carry the status "Under Discussion" or "Undiscussed." The final notification for the revised Semester III syllabus was issued on Aug 7.