Discover the Deccan with the new ‘Deccan Studies Program’

An Immersive Exploration of the Deccan’s Cultural and Architectural Heritage

The Deccan Studies Program is a pioneering four-week academic immersion designed for undergraduate students to deeply engage with the rich cultural, architectural, and historical legacy of the Deccan region. A collaborative initiative of the Deccan Heritage Foundation India, the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation (HBSF), and Ashoka University, the program offers a unique blend of learning through exploration, interaction, and real-world experience. Structured as an academic internship, the program brings together site visits to historically significant monuments, lectures by national and international experts, and hands-on conservation experiences. The curriculum is interdisciplinary—spanning history, art, architecture, conservation science, and heritage economics—aimed at equipping students with both academic insights and practical tools for sustainable heritage preservation.

2025 Pilot Edition

Running from July 7 to August 7, 2025, the inaugural edition will host a maximum of 20 undergraduate students selected from diverse academic backgrounds including history, architecture, business, and science. The program is generously supported by the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation (HSBF) and Ashoka University. We are grateful to Kakatiya Heritage Trust, The Rainwater Project, ISB Centre for Business Innovation, and Mysore University for their patronage.

Program Structure

The curriculum unfolds in four thematic phases, each rooted in a distinct architectural and historical milieu of the Deccan:

1. Hyderabad, Warangal & Bidar (July 7-13):
Students will begin their journey in Telangana, studying the Kakatiya heritage at Warangal, Palampet, and Ghanpur, followed by explorations of Golconda’s Qutb Shahi legacy and the Asaf Jahi monuments of Hyderabad. The final day in Bidar will focus on the Bahmani capital, its fort, and the Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan.

2. Hampi & Chalukyan Sites (July 14-17):
The Vijayanagara capital of Hampi will serve as a living classroom for studying temple architecture, urban planning, and imperial history. Coracle rides to the Vitthala temple, discussions on conservation at the restored Gagan Mahal, and visits to Lakkundi and Sudi will deepen students’ understanding of the Chalukyan and Vijayanagara architectural traditions.

3. Hoysala Legacy (July 19-20):
Traveling to Belur and Halebidu, participants will analyze the high medieval sculptural traditions of the Hoysala dynasty, contrasting them with earlier and later Deccan architectural movements.

4. Mysore & Restoration Practicum (July 21–August 7)
In Mysore, students will gain hands-on exposure to restoration work at Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion Museum, coupled with site visits to Somanathapura and Srirangapatna. They will attend lectures on museography and heritage sustainability planning, and will be encouraged to develop financial models to support the long-term viability of cultural sites. The program will conclude with student presentations on heritage management and conservation strategies.
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Mentors & Faculty
Participants will engage with leading scholars and practitioners in the field of Deccan studies and heritage conservation, including: Mr Adam Lowe, Mr Anirudh Kanisetti, Mr. BV Papa Rao, Dr. Madhuvanti Ghose, Mrs Giovanna Forlanelli, Dr. GSV Suryanarayana Murthy, Dr. Helen Philon, Dr. Kailasa Rao, Dr. Kamalika Bose, Dr. Marika Sardar, Ms Manuela Luca-Dazio, Dr. Panduranga Rao, Dr. Pushkar Sohoni, Dr. Sarah Kenderdine, Dr. Shobha Talengala, and Dr. Sreekumar Menon, and Dr. Srikumar Menon.
Their mentorship ensures a deep and nuanced understanding of both academic and field-based approaches to heritage work.
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Who Can Apply?
The program is open to undergraduate students across India with academic interests in history, heritage, architecture, conservation, economics, or related fields. Students from Ashoka University, Shiv Nadar University, and Mysore University will have dedicated seats, and scholarships may be available for eligible candidates.
The enrollments for this year’s session are closed.
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Program Coordinator:
Sai Charan Palakurthi (Charan)
Assistant Project Manager, Deccan Heritage Foundation India
charan@deccan-heritage-foundation.org