Academic History Lectures & Public Discussions
I bring historical research out of textbooks and into public conversation, focusing on the politics and memory behind Delhi’s monuments and archives.
My work focuses on how we remember history through public spaces. In this video, I introduce an upcoming panel discussion on the memorials built in Delhi to commemorate the 1984 anti-Sikh violence. I explore the questions behind these monuments: who built them, why, and what they communicate to us as part of our shared history.
This is the cover of my book, "The Story of a Sikh Museum," published by Cambridge University Press. It is a pioneering academic study of Sikh museums in contemporary India, using the Bhai Mati Das Museum in Delhi as a case study to examine how heritage, politics, and popular culture intersect.
This is a poster from a hybrid lecture I delivered at the Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan on the subject of Sikh Museums in contemporary India. My talks are designed for both academic and public audiences, available in person or online, to make critical historical research accessible.
An announcement for a book discussion forum at Ashoka University, where I was in conversation with former diplomat and author Navtej Sarna. These events provide a platform for deep, evidence based dialogue on topics like heritage, identity, and the politics of memory.
The "Wall of Truth," a memorial for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, located at Gurdwara Rakabganj in Delhi. My research analyzes the architectural and political language of such public memorials, questioning how they shape collective memory and historical narratives.
This video reel compiles media coverage of Delhi Heritage Walks, a public history initiative I co-founded and conceptualize walks for. It shows our work being featured on platforms like NDTV and in various print publications, highlighting our commitment to making Delhi's complex history engaging for the public.
About Featured
For my lectures and panel discussions, I do not simply deliver a narrative. I present a prepared visual deck containing archival maps, rare political cartoons, and primary documents to ground our conversation in hard evidence. Whether we are analyzing a memorial or discussing a text, I expect my audience to move beyond surface observation to actively question the motivations behind the history we see today.
My work exists at the intersection of history, politics, and memory. I do not offer standard sightseeing tours or general lectures. Instead, I provide a critical analysis of the spaces we inhabit—from colonial-era architecture to the memorials of 1984.
My Approach
I operate on the premise that history is not static. It is constructed through decisions, funding, and narratives. My lectures and panel discussions are designed for universities, cultural spaces, and corporate events where the goal is to engage with complex topics such as:
- Public Monuments: Understanding the architectural and political language behind memorials.
- Museum Studies: How heritage institutions construct or omit specific historical truths.
- Urban History: The role of dissent and protest in shaping Delhi’s public spaces.
What to Expect
When you book a session, you are receiving an evidence-based experience. I conduct deep reading of subject matter prior to events, formulate critical questions for moderation, and ensure our discussion addresses contemporary relevance. I am accustomed to working with archival data and oral histories to provide a multi-dimensional perspective.
If you are planning an event, please ensure the venue provides a projector, screen, and microphone. I will bring my laptop and presentation files, ready to facilitate an intellectually rigorous session.
Kanika Singh
I am Kanika, a historian and researcher based in Delhi. My work is not about rote learning or simple sightseeing, but about critically analyzing the layers of memory embedded in our city's landscape. I invite you to engage with history that challenges, questions, and reflects our contemporary realities.
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