“I’m Vanya Vaidehi Bhargav, an intellectual historian of modern South Asia interested in political and religious ideas and ideologies. My doctoral research, undertaken at the University of Oxford, was published as a book titled ‘Being Hindu, Being Indian: Lala Lajpat Rai’s Ideas of Nationhood’ (Penguin Random House India, 2024) and articles in peer-reviewed journals like Journal of Asian Studies and Global Intellectual History. My book was longlisted for two book awards. I’ve written op-eds in Indian Express, TOI, The Hindu, and The Wire. Do check them out! I teach ancient, medieval and modern history at NLS. I’m passionate about conveying historical knowledge to students and non-specialists, and promoting analytical thinking skills about society and politics.”

“I am a researcher using tools from legal studies, economics, and other social sciences to understand how public institutions function. My work has focussed on how the Indian state engages with its legal system, its systems of contract enforcement, and its engagement with new technologies.

NLS has bright, engaging students and a collegial environment with warm, curious, and supportive colleagues. I recently spent some time geeking out on Albert O. Hirschman’s Exit, Voice, and Loyalty. While his work is not directly related to my field, I also try to emulate Timothy Snyder’s approach to lecturing and explaining complex concepts.”