Markus Daechsel

Markus Daechsel is a Professor in the Department of History at Royal Holloway, University of London, affiliated with the Centre for the Study of the Body and Material Culture. His research focuses on South Asian history, colonial and postcolonial studies, and political developments in Pakistan, with particular attention to urban planning, religious dynamics, and economic policies. He has published extensively on topics such as Urdu print culture, the political thought of Inayatullah Khan Mashriqi, and Karachi's urban development under colonial rule.

Daechsel leads projects like the Leverhulme Trust-funded 'Islamic Economics: from anti-Colonialism to Neoliberalism' (2025–2028) and the British Academy-supported 'Oral testimonies of development in Pakistan' (2012–2013). He has organized academic events such as the 'Refugee Cities' workshop (2023), engaging with contemporary global challenges through historical frameworks.

His work critiques colonial and postcolonial narratives, emphasizing subaltern perspectives and the interplay between religion, politics, and urban space. Though no formal awards are noted, his publications have garnered academic attention, including Mendeley readership and Wikipedia references.