Mark McClish

Mark McClish is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Northwestern University specializing in classical Hinduism, with particular expertise in early legal and political Sanskrit literature (dharmaśāstra and arthaśāstra). His research explores the intricate intersections of religion, law, and political authority in classical South Asia through meticulous textual analysis.

His academic credentials include:

• B.A. in Religious Studies from Indiana University
• M.A. and Ph.D. in Asian Cultures and Languages (specialization: Sanskrit and Indian Religions) from the University of Texas at Austin

McClish's scholarly work centers on frameworks of political thought in ancient India, the historical development of Hindu law, and the political dimensions of Brahmanical orthodoxy. He investigates how concepts of fate, sovereignty, and sacred duty shaped classical Indian governance through close readings of primary Sanskrit texts. His methodology bridges religious studies, legal history, and political theory to illuminate the dynamic relationship between religious orthodoxy and statecraft in premodern South Asia.

His publications from 2012-2019 reveal consistent thematic focus on the evolution of Indian jurisprudence and political philosophy, particularly examining the interplay between dharma (sacred law) and secular statecraft. Key contributions include analyzing the Arthaśāstra's influence on Hindu legal texts and tracing the conceptual shift from state law to religious duty in ancient Indian thought.

Research recognition includes:

• Fulbright Fellowship
• European Research Council (SAW-ERC) grant

McClish has secured significant external funding that enabled collaborative translation projects and textual analysis of classical Indian political literature. His Fulbright and ERC-supported research has advanced understanding of sovereignty concepts in ancient South Asia while establishing critical frameworks for studying the interdependence of religious and political authority in premodern Indian contexts.