New Zealand (Commonwealth Union)_ Eminent Indian-origin academic and historian, Emeritus Professor Sekhar Bandyopadhyay, has been honoured for his lifelong contributions to the field of history, as the New Zealand Historical Association (NZHA) established a prestigious award bearing his name. The Sekhar Bandyopadhyay Prize, a biennial award, will recognise outstanding historical research published in refereed journals by scholars based in New Zealand, excluding those focusing on New Zealand history. The announcement was made by the New Zealand Historical Association, which praised Bandyopadhyay’s distinguished career and impact on the global understanding of history, particularly in the areas of nationalism, caste, and Indian migration. The prize is intended to celebrate the achievements of scholars whose work in history continues to shape the academic landscape.
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Prof. Bandyopadhyay, who has had a significant influence on the field of history, has been an integral part of the academic community in New Zealand since he joined Victoria University of Wellington in 1992. Over the course of his career, he has written seven books, edited or co-edited fourteen, and published over fifty book chapters and journal articles. His work, particularly in the realms of caste and partition in Bengal, has become foundational in the study of colonial and postcolonial India. Among his notable publications are Caste and Partition in Bengal: The Story of Dalit Refugees, 1946-1961 (2022); From Plassey to Partition and After: A History of Modern India (2015); and Caste, Protest and Identity in Colonial India (2011).
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In response to the establishment of the award, Prof. Bandyopadhyay expressed his gratitude, saying he was humbled and immensely honoured. He continued, “I cannot think of any better award than this recognition by my peers. My sincere thanks to the New Zealand Historical Association and its executive committee.” His groundbreaking book, From Plassey to Partition and After, which has been translated into two languages and reprinted thirteen times, is widely used as a university textbook on modern Indian history. The book’s widespread influence underscores Prof. Bandyopadhyay’s central role in shaping academic discourse on Indian history. His research also sheds light on the Indian diaspora and the socio-political transformations that shaped modern India.
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A respected academic leader, Prof. Bandyopadhyay has held several prominent positions, including Director of the New Zealand India Research Institute (NZIRI) and Professor of Asian History at Victoria University. His leadership within the university’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences includes roles as Associate Dean (Research) and Deputy Dean. Additionally, Prof. Bandyopadhyay’s work extends beyond the academic realm. He has been instrumental in fostering diplomatic ties between New Zealand and India, leading three New Zealand delegations to India and playing a crucial role in building academic relationships between the two countries.
Furthermore, Prof. Bandyopadhyay’s accolades include being named a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi and an Inaugural Fellow of the New Zealand Academy of Humanities. He has also received several prestigious awards, such as the Rabindra Smriti Puraskar (Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Prize) and a Marsden grant from the Royal Society of New Zealand. As part of the recognition, the New Zealand Historical Association has also opened nominations for the inaugural Sekhar Bandyopadhyay Prize, along with five other history prizes. Nominations were accepted until 1 April 2025, with winners to be announced at the 2025 NZHA Conference.
Prof. Bandyopadhyay’s impact is not confined to academia alone. His leadership in institutions such as the New Zealand India Research Institute and his involvement in editing the New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies has strengthened the academic and cultural ties between New Zealand and India, positioning him as a key figure in promoting global historical scholarship. His remarkable career, which began in India at the University of Calcutta and later flourished in New Zealand, continues to inspire historians and scholars around the world. Through his groundbreaking research, publications, and contributions to international academic discourse, Prof. Bandyopadhyay has earned a well-deserved place as one of the leading historians of his generation.
