Research Trends in India’s History of Education: A Systematic Review (1943-2024)

Abstract

The history of education in India has been an essential area of academic research, reflecting the nation's changing educational, cultural, and socio-political landscapes. This review study systematically analyzes research trends in the history of education in India from 1943 to 2024.  The study aims to examine the evolution of research in this field over the past eighty years, to pinpoint enduring knowledge gaps, and to propose new avenues for investigation.  The study employed a systematic review methodology, utilizing two primary sources: A Survey of Research in Education (Volumes I–VI), which offered 171 abstracts of dissertations, and theses submitted from 1943 to 2000, and the Shodhganga repository, from which 4 doctoral theses spanning 2001 to 2024 were extracted.  The findings show various studies documented in Buch’s Survey of Research in Education as well as from history of education research available on Shodhganga the thematic focuses of previous research, identify neglected aspects like limited focus on marginalized groups, gender, regional diversity, ancient traditions, and interdisciplinary perspectives. It also highlights promising new areas for exploration such as indigenous knowledge systems, women’s education, reformist contributions, and socio-cultural dimensions of educational change.