History professor Aparna Kapadia has received two prestigious fellowships—a Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Award and a Senior Research Fellowship from the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Both fellowships will support Kapadia’s research for her forthcoming publication on the life and legacy of Kasturba Gandhi (1869-1944).
Kasturba Gandhi was married to Mohandas or “Mahatma” (Great Soul) Gandhi—considered “the father of the Indian nation”—for 62 years. But she went on to become a political activist in her own right and played a vital role in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
Much has been written and continues to be written about the Mahatma, but Kasturba Gandhi, who worked tirelessly alongside her husband for six decades, remains largely unknown. Kapadia’s project is the first to use extensive archival research to tell the story of Kasturba Gandhi’s political life, leadership and activism, as well as shine light on her personal life, much of which has been overshadowed by her husband’s legacy.
Kapadia, who is currently on sabbatical for the 2024-25 academic year, will use the awards to conduct archival research, interviews, and museum and historic site visits in India.
“I am excited about the research these grants will allow me to conduct during my leave,” Kapadia says. “I particularly appreciate the work of the Office of Fellowships—they have been great about helping me find the right grants and plan for them.”
Published July 16, 2024