MANDU is an international and interdisciplinary research programme on past land-waterscapes in India, which seeks to explore the interplay between society change and hydroclimatic variation on the semi-arid and basaltic Malwa Plateau of Central India, and the making of an agro-urban centre in late medieval times (ca. 1100–1500 CE).
The main focus of field research activities is the historical place known as Mandu (Mandav, Dhar District, Madhya Pradesh), which once served as the capital of the Malwa Sultanates from about 1400 CE till it was taken by the army of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
The research programme is the synthesis of a project funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR), and an Indo-French Archaeological Mission supported by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) in partnership with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) of New Delhi, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), Shiv Nadar University (SNU) of Greater Noida, and French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP).
Research Programme
MANDU is an international and interdisciplinary research programme on past land-waterscapes in India, which seeks to explore the interplay between society change and hydroclimatic variation on the semi-arid and basaltic Malwa Plateau of Central India (ca. 1100–1500 CE).
Mandu, Past and Present
The living landscapes of Mandu have kept rich archaeological remains from building, agricultural and other activities dating over several centuries. The most conspicuous talk about the pre-Mughal past associated with the hegemony of the Malwa Sultanate.
Research Team
Interdisciplinary efforts, bringing together Earth Sciences and Humanities, remain scarce in the study of the medieval and pre-modern past in India. The MANDU research programme involves a pluridisciplinary team of researchers and experts.
Funding & Partnerships
The MANDU project is supported by the IRD, the French National Research Agency, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with Jawaharlal Nehru University, Shiv Nadar University, and French Institute of Pondicherry.
