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{{Short description|Indian environmental historian, writer and academician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = Dr.
| name = Abhimanyu Singh Arha
| birth_place = Rajasthan
| citizenship = India
| education = 
| alma_mater = St. Stephan's College, Delhi<br />[[Jawaharlal Nehru University]]
| occupation = Environmental Historian; Deputy Director of Museology and Conservation Centre
| notable_works = Hoofprint of Empire: An Environmental History of Fodder in Mughal India (1650–1850)
}}

Dr. '''Abhimanyu Singh Arha''' is an [[Environmental history|environmental historian]], [[writer]] and [[Academician|academic]] from [[India]]. Abhimanyu Singh serves as the deputy director of the [[University of Rajasthan]]'s Centre for Museology and Conservation. He also serves as an [[Adviser|advisor]] to the [[Government of Rajasthan]] on [[Tourism]] and Heritage Protection. Arha also writes in [[Rajasthani languages|Rajasthani]], his mother tongue, in both verse and [[prose]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2013-09-17|title=Abhimanyu Singh Arha - Jaipur Literature Festival|url=https://jaipurliteraturefestival.org/speaker/abhimanyu-singh-arha|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-16|website=jaipurliteraturefestival.org|language=en|quote=He graduated from St. Stephen’s College and holds a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University. His research area includes studying the nexus between ecology, trade and state-building and the history of diplomacy and self-writings. His research papers have been published widely.}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Dr. Abhimanyu Singh Arha appointed as the new Dy. Director of Centre for Museology & Conservation, Univ. of Rajasthan. {{!}} Director, History, Conservation|url=https://in.pinterest.com/pin/829647562577354890/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-16|website=Pinterest|language=en|quote=Dr. Abhimanyu Singh Arha appointed as the new Dy. Director of Centre for Museology & Conservation, Univ. of Rajasthan.}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2021-10-31|title=PU Regional Centre, Ludhiana holds webinar on role of women in Gandhian movement|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/pu-regional-centre-ludhiana-holds-webinar-on-role-of-women-in-gandhian-movement-101635618781798.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-16|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|quote=She moderated the question answer session wherein students interacted with Abhimanyu Singh Arha, advisor to government of Rajasthan on tourism and heritage protection.}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Abhimanyu Singh Arha was born in [[Rajasthan]], India. In 2005, Arha graduated from [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi|St. Stephen's College]], Delhi.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Arha|first=Abhimanyu Singh|title=Abhimanyu Singh Arha - LinkedIn|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhimanyu-singh-arha-96700116/|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2021|website=[[LinkedIn]]}}</ref> He completed his doctorate (PhD) from [[Jawaharlal Nehru University]], Delhi where his field of study was [[Medieval India|Medieval Indian history]] and [[Environmental history|ecological history]]. He received his [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] in 2011.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":0" /> His [[research]] interests include the relationship between environment, [[trade]], and [[state-building]], as well as the history of [[diplomacy]] and [[Autobiography|autobiographies]].<ref name=":0" />

== Career ==
Arha has taught at [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi]], [[Maharaja Ganga Singh University]], Bikaner and University of Rajasthan, [[Jaipur]]. His [[Academic publishing|research papers]] have been published widely.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=|url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/marwar/20140712/282166469349172|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-17|via=PressReader|quote=Arha is a historian who serves as an assistant professor at the Department of History and Indian Culture, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. He began his career as a guest factulty at his alma mater, St. Stephen's College, and went on to service as an assistant professor in the Department of History, Majaraja Ganga Sing University, Bikaner. He also holds a doctoral degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi}}</ref> In January 2011, Arha started as a [[Lecturer]] at St. Stephan's College, Delhi.<ref name=":3" /> Thereafter, for the duration of June 2011 to December 2013, Arha worked as [[assistant professor]] at [[Maharaja Ganga Singh University]] as a [[Specialist degree|specialist]] in [[Medieval India|medieval Indian history]].<ref name=":3" />

Arha serves as [[assistant professor]] of history in the Department of [[History of the United States|History]] & [[Culture of India|Indian Culture]], [[University of Rajasthan]]. He specializes in medieval history. He was appointed to the position in December 2013.<ref name=":3"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Department of History & Indian Culture :: List of Faculties|url=http://unirajhistory.ac.in/ListOfFaculties.aspx|access-date=2021-12-16|website=unirajhistory.ac.in}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2018-12-07|title=War Veterans Caution Against Politicization of Army, Term Surgical Strikes as...|url=https://www.rozanaspokesman.com/news/punjab/071218/war-veterans-caution-against-politicization-of-army-term-surgical-str.html|access-date=2021-12-16|website=Rozana Spokesman|language=en}}</ref>

=== Deputy director of Centre for Museology and Conservation(UOR) ===
Arha has been named the new [[deputy director]] of the University of Rajasthan's Centre for Museology and Conservation.<ref name=":1" /> Arha has been holding this position since November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chandra|first=Suresh|date=3 November 2020|title=Circular University of Rajasthan|url=https://www.uniraj.ac.in/circular/circular/of2002-03nov20.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2021|website=University of Rajasthan|quote=कुलपति महोदय के आदेश दिनांक 02.11.2020 की अनुपालना में के डॉ. अनिल अनिकेत, सहायक आचार्य, इतिहास विभाग को उप-निदेशक, म्यूजियोलॉजी एण्ड कन्जर्वेशन सेन्टर, राजस्थान विश्वविद्यालय, जयपुर के पद पर तीन वर्ष या अग्रिम आदेश, जो भी पहले हो, तक के लिए डॉ. अभिमन्यु सिंह आढ़ा के स्थान पर नियुक्त किया जाता है।}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-16|title=राजस्थान विश्वविद्यालय में ''न्यू ट्रेण्डस इन म्यूजियोलाॅजी एण्ड हिस्टाॅरिकल रिसर्च'' विषय पर अन्तरराष्ट्रीय का उद्घाटन|url=https://indianow24.com/राजस्थान-विश्वविद्यालय-म/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-17|website=India Now24|language=en-US|quote=संगोष्ठी के समन्वयक डाॅ. अभिमन्यु सिंह आढ़ा (डिप्टी डायरेक्टर, सेन्टर फाॅर म्यूजियोलाॅजी एण्ड कन्जर्वेंशन, राजस्थान विश्वविद्यालय, जयपुर) ने कहा कि संगोष्ठी में देश-विदेश के अनेक संग्रहालय विशेषज्ञ, पुराविद्, इतिहासकार एवं अनुसंधानकर्ता भाग ले रहे हैं।}}</ref>

Arha also serves as an [[advisor]] to the [[Government of Rajasthan]] on [[tourism]] and [[Cultural heritage|heritage]] [[protection]].<ref name=":2" />

== Events ==
When [[Hakim Khan Sur]]'s tomb in [[Rajsamand]] was vandalized in 2016, Professor Arha clarified Suri's role in the [[Battle of Haldighati]], emphasizing his military prowess. Historical accounts confirm Suri fought alongside [[Maharana Pratap|Pratap's]] army. He debunked the notion that the war was solely between [[Hindus]] and [[Muslims]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=21 February 2016|title='Protect tomb of Maharana's chief commander Hakim'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/protect-tomb-of-maharanas-chief-commander-hakim/articleshow/51076792.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-16|website=The Times of India|language=en|quote=Assistant professor, department of History and Culture Studies, Abhimanyu Singh Arha, who has published papers on Rajasthan History, said, "Suri had joined Pratap's little before the battle of Haldighati but his great sense to read the Mughals had made him one the military commander." He argued that Pratap entrusted Suri in a battle against a Muslim ruler Akbar whose army was commanded by a Rajput king Man Singh demolishes the popular historical interpretation which misleads that war was between Hindus and Muslim.}}</ref>

Dr. Abhimanyu Singh conducted a [[career]] counseling session at [[Maharana Mewar Public School]], highlighting opportunities in the [[Humanities]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://mmpsschool.org/news/darpan-2015-VOL-2.pdf|title=Maharana Mewar Public School Darpan 2015 Volume 2|publisher=Maharana Mewar Public School|year=2016|location=Udaipur|pages=33|language=English|quote=Dr. Abhimanyu Singh Arha (center) gave insights about avenues and scope in Humanities viz. competitive exams, geo-politics, cinema, foreign policy research etc. and various research universities in India and abroad.}}</ref> He also participated in the 3rd World Living Heritage Festival at [[Udaipur]] in 2016, discussing oral traditions and [[folklore]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.eternalmewar.in/WLHF/Downloads/WLHF-REPORT-2016.pdf|title=World Living Heritage Festival-REPORT-2016|publisher=Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation|year=2016|location=India|pages=66|language=English|quote=I can share some examples of dohas or couplets which are recited by the bards. These tell us the political mood of the times; there are nuggets of information regarding arms, horses and other details for which no written record exists. Through one such couplet, I was able to figure out the introduction of new breed of horses in the 17th and 18th centuries in Rajasthan. Similarly, one of my forefathers who was an illustrious Minister of Mewar, wrote a ballad on Rana Pratap. At one level, it is a poetic work. At another, it becomes a window to understanding the political climate of the 17th century in Mewar and in the Mughal Court. One can safely say his poetry summed up the politics of the day! Such oral traditions cannot be overlooked or categorised as unimportant or insignificant.}}</ref> Dr. Arha took part in the national conference on 'Maharana Pratap and his Era' organized by the [[Ministry of Culture (India)|Ministry of Culture]] in 2017<ref>{{Cite news|date=2017|title=राजस्थान यूनिवर्सिटी में नेशनल कॉन्फ्रेंस आज|work=Dainik Bhaskar|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/RAJ-JAI-HMU-MAT-latest-jaipur-news-033754-3738250-NOR.html|access-date=17 December 2021|quote=जयपुर {{!}} आरयूके इतिहास भारतीय संस्कृति विभाग की ओर से संस्कृति मंत्रालय भारत सरकार नेहरू मेमोरियल म्यूजियम और लाइब्रेरी नई दिल्ली के सहयोग से आरयू में नेशनल कॉन्फ्रेंस का आयोजन किया जाएगा। शुक्रवार को होने वाली कॉन्फ्रेंस का विषय महाराणा प्रताप एवं उनका युग होगा, जिसमें सात इतिहासकार प्रोफेसर जीएसएल देवड़ा, प्रोफेसर के.एस. गुप्ता, प्रोफेसर बी.एल. भादानी, प्रोफेसर वी.के. वशिष्ठ, डाॅ. एम.एस. राणावत, डाॅ. हुकुम सिंह भाटी और डाॅ. अभिमन्यु सिंह आढ़ा हिस्सा लेंगे।}}</ref> and was invited as a featured [[Rajasthani languages|Rajasthani]] writer at the [[Jaipur Literature Festival]] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-02-01|title=With record footfalls, stellar debates and conversations, the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival 2018 ends on a high note {{!}} ALL RIGHTS|url=https://www.allrightsmagazine.com/with-record-footfalls-stellar-debates-and-conversations-the-zee-jaipur-literature-festival-2018-ends-on-a-high-note-2/|access-date=2021-12-16|language=en-US}}</ref> Arha emphasized on the history of the [[Rajasthani languages|Rajasthani]] language, which was one of the richest in 16th century India, traced from a metered form to the addition of current and contemporary literary styles, reflecting the rich living tradition of [[Rajasthani literature]] in its many moods and manifestations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=Rakesh Kumar|date=2018-01-22|title=25 से 29 जनवरी तक होगा 'जी जयपुर लिटरेचर फेस्टिवल'|url=http://www.janprahari.com/the-jai-literature-festival-will-be-held-from-january-25-to-29/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-17|website=Jan Prahari Express|language=en-NZ|quote=अभिमन्यु सिंह आढ़ा एक पर्यावरणीय इतिहासकार है, जो सेंट स्टीफंस कॉलेज, दिल्ली; महाराजा गंगा सिंह यूनिवर्सिटी, बीकानेर और राजस्थान यूनिवर्सिटी जयपुर में पढ़ा चुके हैं। उन्होंने सेंट स्टीफंस कॉलेज से स्नातक की उपाधि प्राप्त की और जवाहरलाल नेहरू विष्वविद्यालय से पीएचडी की है। ईकोलाॅजी, ट्रेड और स्टेट बिल्डिंग के मध्य सम्बंधों का अध्ययन करना और कूटनीति के इतिहास एवं आत्म लेखन उनके रिसर्च के विषयों में शामिल हैं। उनके कई रिसर्च पेपर प्रकाशित हो चुके हैं। आढ़ा अपनी मातृभाषा राजस्थानी में गद्य एवं पद्य दोनों शैली में लिखते हैं।}}</ref>

He spoke at the Military Literature Festival in [[Chandigarh]] and went into detail on the contribution of Vir Ras to the Indian Medieval Period. He made special mention of well-known poets like [[Chand Bardai]], author of [[Prithviraj Raso|Prithvi Raj Raso]] and, as well as reciting several [[couplet]]s by mediaeval authors composed in Vir Ras.<ref>title=Military-Literature-Festival-2018-In-Chandigarh|https://www.contentgarden.in/news/Military-Literature-Festival-2018-In-Chandigarh/301657;p1=30165</ref><ref name=":4" />

He participated in the International conference on Indian business and economic history organized by [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad|IIM-Ahemdabad]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://conference.iima.ac.in/history/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IIMA-History-Conference-Brochure-2019-2.pdf|title=INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDIAN BUSINESS & ECONOMIC HISTORY|publisher=Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad|year=2019|pages=5|language=English}}</ref> A tribute program was held for Prof. Madalsa Ujjwal, recognizing her contributions to higher education and [[women's empowerment]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=2019-11-22|title=मारवाड़ की विख्यात शिक्षाविद् स्व. प्रोफेसर मदालसा उज्वल की स्मृति व्याख्यान (प्रथम पुष्प)|url=http://www.lokvarta.net/eminent-educationist-of-marwar-late-professor-madalsa-ujwals-memorial-lecture-first-flower/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-17|website=Lokvarta|language=en-US|quote=केन्द्र के सह निदेशक डॉ. अभिमन्यु सिंह आढ़ा ने सभी अतिथियों का स्वागत किया तथा स्व. प्रोफेसर मदालसा उज्वल के अद्भुत व्यक्तितव एवं कृतित्व पर प्रकाश डालते हुए कहा कि उन्होंने चार दशकों तक उच्च शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में अपना अतुल्य योगदान दिया तथा एक प्रखर संस्कृतिकर्मी के रूप में पश्चिमी राजस्थान की महिलाओं के सशक्तिकरण की दिशा में सराहनीय कार्य किया। प्रोफेसर मदालसा उज्वल की सहकर्मी प्रोफेसर आनन्द माथुर ने कहा कि प्रो. मदालसा उज्वल विद्वता, शालीनता, सौम्यता एवं सहृदयता की प्रतिमूर्ति थीं।}}</ref>

Yashaswini Chandra recommended Abhimanyu Singh Arha's journal article 'Hoofprint of Empire: An Environmental History of Fodder in Mughal India' for detailing the role of Indian horses in medieval India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Venkataramakrishnan|first=Rohan|title=Interview: Yashaswini Chandra on what the horse tells us about India's past|url=https://scroll.in/article/984773/interview-yashaswini-chandra-on-what-the-horse-tells-us-about-india-s-past|access-date=2021-12-16|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Venkataramakrishnan|first=Rohan|date=2021-01-22|title=Friday Q&A: Yashaswini Chandra on what the horse tells us about India's past|url=https://thepoliticalfix.substack.com/p/friday-q-and-a-yashaswini-chandra|access-date=2021-12-16|website=The Political Fix}}</ref> This work has been cited in multiple books including 'Climate of Conquest War, Environment, and Empire in Mughal North India' by Pratyay Nath.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nath |first=Pratyay |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ybSmDwAAQBAJ |title=Climate of Conquest: War, Environment, and Empire in Mughal North India |date=2019-06-28 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-909823-1 |language=en |quote=Other important works—not only about the Mughal Empire but on early modern South Asia in general—include Abhimanyu Singh Arha, ‘Hoofprint of Empire: An Environmental History of Fodder in Mughal India (1650–1850),’ Studies in History 32, no. 2 (2016), 186–208}}</ref>

Arha was a speaker at the [[75th Anniversary of Indian Independence|Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav]] webinar organized by [[Jawahar Kala Kendra]] and discussed [[Chandra Shekhar Azad]]'s role in the Kakori train robbery. He clarified that these revolutionary leaders received a lot of support, not because they were young, passionate men who used to kill people for their own pleasure, but because they were well-educated, [[intellectual]] and well-mannered men who were on a well-planned mission to achieve their stated goal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-23 |title=चंद्रशेखर आजाद को किया याद {{!}} Remembering Chandrashekhar Azad |url=https://www.patrika.com/jaipur-news/remembering-chandrashekhar-azad-6967808/ |url-status=live |access-date=2021-12-17 |website=Patrika News |language=hi-IN |quote=डॉ. अभिमन्यु सिंह आढ़ा ने कहा कि 1925 में शाहजहांपुर से लखनऊ जाने वाली काकोरी ट्रेन को उस समय के कुछ चुने हुए क्रांतिकारी नेताओं ने लूट लिया था, जिसमें चंद्रशेखर आजाद भी शामिल थे। उस ट्रेन में ब्रिटिश खजाने से धन ले जाया जा रहा था,जिसे क्रांति के लिए हथियार खरीदने के पैसे एकत्रित करने के लिए लूट लिया गया था। आजाद पुलिस से बचने में कामयाब रहे। उन्होंने कहा कि इन क्रांतिकारी नेताओं को दूसरों से बहुत समर्थन मिला, इसलिए नहीं कि वे युवा, गम.र्जोश वाले पुरुष थे, जो अपने मजे के लिए लोगों की हत्या करते थे, बल्कि इसलिए कि वे अच्छी तरह से शिक्षित, बौद्धिक और शिष्ट पुरुष थे जो कि अपने निर्धारित लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करने के लिए एक सुनियोजित मिशन पर थे।}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=First India-Ahmedabad Edition-24 July 2021 by firstindia - Issuu|url=https://issuu.com/firstindia/docs/24072021_first_india_ahmedabad|access-date=2021-12-16|website=issuu.com|language=en}}</ref> He also spoke at the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav webinar at [[Panjab University]] Regional Centre, addressing the role of women in the [[Gandhism|Gandhian]] Movement. Abhimanyu Singh highlighted the importance of studying Gandhi's writings and engaged in a Q&A session with students.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Freshers' party organised |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ludhiana/freshers-party-organised-331345 |access-date=2021-12-16 |website=Tribuneindia News Service |language=en}}</ref>

== Published works and research papers ==
* Arha, Abhimanyu Singh (2013). "[https://books.google.com/books?id=oAk4ngEACAAJ Globalization, Cultural Heritage and Travel Industry: Scope of Developing New Tourist Attractions]". ''Globalization and Voices from Indian Practitioners''.
* Arha, Abhimanyu Singh (2016). "The Outsider's Eye: The Travelogues of Pietro Della Valle and Mountstuart Elphinstone". ''Sufi Poetics, Buddhism and Travelogues.''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Arha|first=Priyadarshan Singh|date=2019|title=literary and cultural interrelationships between india|url=https://www.ailc-icla.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/InterrelationshipsBetweenIndiaNeighboursWorld-2015-16.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2021|website=International Comparative Literature Association}}</ref>
* Arha, Abhimanyu Singh (2016-08). "[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0257643016645721#con Hoofprint of Empire: An Environmental History of Fodder in Mughal India (1650–1850)]". ''[[Studies in History]]''. 32 (2): 186–208. [[Doi (identifier)|doi]]:10.1177/0257643016645721. [[ISSN (identifier)|ISSN]] 0257-6430.
* Arha, Abhimanyu Singh (2014). "[https://www.jstor.org/stable/44158405 Rival Parties in Eighteenth Century Marwar Court: Competing Claims to Ecology and Resources]". ''[[Indian History Congress|Proceedings of the Indian History Congress]]''. '''75''': 371–376. [[ISSN (identifier)|ISSN]] 2249-1937. [[JSTOR (identifier)|JSTOR]] 44158405.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Arha|first=Abhimanyu Singh|title=Rival Parties in Eighteenth Century Marwar Court: Competing Claims to Ecology and Resources|date=2014|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44158405|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=75|pages=371–376|jstor=44158405|issn=2249-1937}}</ref>
* Arha, Abhimanyu Singh (2014). "[https://www.academia.edu/9489919 Business Management Practices in Medieval India: Lighting the Path Ahead]". ''International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI):Volume I/Issue VII.''
* Arha, Abhimanyu Singh (2013). "[https://indcat.inflibnet.ac.in/index.php/thesesrequest?id=254988 State, Trade and Ecology: A Study of Marwar AD. 1707–1843]". ''Jawaharlal Nehru University: Centre for Historical Studies''.
* Arha, Abhimanyu Singh (2007). "Foreign Travelogue in the Seventeenth Century A.D: Traces of Eco-Tourism".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Review of Literature in Village Tourism|url=http://scstsenvis.nic.in/WriteReadData/links/review%20of%20literature%20in%20villagetourism-837586607.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=17 December 2021|website=ENVIS CENTRE ON ECO - TOURISM|quote=Abhimanyu Singh Arha (2007) in his article ‘Foreign Travelogue in the Seventeenth Century A.D: Traces of Eco-Tourism’ observes that study of ecology is the study of nature and its components. The study of ecology cannot be limited to the domain of scientific or mathematical analysis. It is very much of the nature of social science as well.}}</ref>
* Arha, Abhimanyu Singh (2012). "[http://rajhisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/RAJHISCO-Vol-27.pdf The Persona of Sawai Singh of Pokhran]". ''Rajasthan History Congress Proceedings Volume XXVII.''

== References ==
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