Chitralekha Zutshi

Chitralekha Zutshi is a Professor of History at the College of William & Mary, specializing in Modern South Asia and the Indian Ocean World. She holds two endowed professorships and has received prestigious awards such as the 2014 Plumeri Award for Faculty Excellence. Her research focuses on Islamicate identities, nationalism, and historical thought, with a particular emphasis on Kashmir's contested histories and political dynamics. She has authored multiple acclaimed books, including Sheikh Abdullah: The Caged Lion of Kashmir (2024) and edited volumes like Kashmir: History, Politics, Representation (2018). Her work challenges monolithic narratives of religious conflict, emphasizing the complexities of class, gender, and caste in Kashmir's socio-political landscape.

Zutshi's academic contributions extend to teaching and program development. She founded the William & Mary study abroad program in Goa/Bengaluru and co-directed the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Program. Her courses include 'Indian Ocean Worlds,' 'War and Peace in Postcolonial South Asia,' and 'Kashmir: Past, Present, and Future.'

Her scholarly articles have appeared in The Journal of Asian Studies, Modern Asian Studies, and Economic and Political Weekly. She also engages with public discourse through contributions to KashmirConnected and media outlets like India Today and W&M News.

• Awards: Plumeri Award (2014), NEH Fellowship (2005-2006), Kluge Fellowship (2008)
• Grants: Senior Research Fellowship (American Institute of Indian Studies, 2014-2015)
• Leadership: International Advisory Board member of South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies

Zutshi’s research bridges academia and public engagement, addressing themes of historical memory, political agency, and the intersection of identity with colonial and postcolonial power structures.