Mandira Sharma
@mandirasharma
Museum historian and independent scholar specializing in South Asian art and material culture.
IndiaWhat I'm looking for
I am a museum historian and independent scholar with a Ph.D. in History of Art and extensive experience in research, curatorial practice, and teaching across India and Europe. My work focuses on visualization of the heavens, Indian manuscript and painting traditions, and cross-cultural interactions in South Asian and Central Asian art; I have published peer-reviewed articles, co-edited exhibition catalogues, and co-curated major museum exhibitions.
I have held visiting fellowships at MPIWG (Berlin) and IIAS/Jan Gonda Fund (Leiden), consulted for the National Museum (New Delhi), and served as adjunct/guest faculty at multiple colleges and universities. I combine scholarly research, digital humanities documentation, and practical museum curation to make art-historical knowledge accessible to academic and public audiences.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Researcher
Past Preservers
Feb 2025 - Present (8 months)
Appointed on a panel to contribute research expertise on heritage preservation and historical artefacts; collaborating with interdisciplinary teams on conservation projects since 2025.
Independent Scholar
Independent Scholar
Dec 2022 - Present (2 years 10 months)
Conducts independent research, publishes peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on South Asian art history, and engages in curatorial projects and academic collaborations since 2022.
MSVisiting Scholar
Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
Jun 2022 - Dec 2022 (6 months)
Visiting scholar in the Visualization and Material Culture of the Heavens group, contributing database documentation and presenting research on astral imagery in South Asian manuscripts (June–Dec 2022).
Consultant
National Museum
Jun 2020 - May 2022 (1 year 11 months)
Consulted for the Central Asia Antiquities and Department of Paintings and Decorative Arts, advising on collection selection, interpretation, and exhibition scripting from 2020 to 2022.
UDGuest Faculty
University of Delhi
Jan 2011 - Feb 2020 (9 years 1 month)
Taught undergraduate and continuing-education courses in Indian art and history across multiple terms (2011–2020), delivering lectures and curriculum for BA and MA modules.
ISJan Gonda Fellow
International Institute for Asian Studies
Jul 2019 - Aug 2019 (1 month)
Awarded Jan Gonda fellowship (July–August 2019) to pursue Indology research, enabling archival study and international collaboration on South Asian art history.
IWAssistant Professor (ad-hoc)
Indraprastha College for Women
Aug 2014 - Dec 2017 (3 years 4 months)
Served as assistant professor (ad-hoc) in the Department of History, teaching BA courses, organizing seminars, and advising student activities across multiple terms between 2014 and 2017.
Project Coordinator
Delhi Art Gallery
Aug 2008 - Apr 2010 (1 year 8 months)
Coordinated exhibitions and catalogue contributions for Delhi Art Gallery, managing logistics and content for shows between 2008 and 2010.
Research Assistant
National Museum Institute
Nov 2007 - Jun 2008 (7 months)
Supported research projects at the National Museum Institute (2007–2008), contributing to scholarship on Indian art and assisting with academic publications.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
MUMadhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University
Master of Arts, Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology
2008 - 2010
Completed MA in Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology with coursework on ancient Indian art and history.
NMNational Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology
Doctor of Philosophy, History of Art
2003 - 2008
Activities and societies: Research assistantship; taught and conducted art appreciation courses; publications on Ajanta and Central Asian art.
Ph.D. in History of Art from the National Museum Institute focusing on topics in Indian and Central Asian art history.
Goethe-Institut, New Delhi
Goethe-Zertifikat A1, German Language
2006 - 2006
Grade: A-
Completed Goethe-Zertifikat A1 German language certification.
UDUniversity of Delhi
Master of Arts, History
1998 - 2000
Master of Arts in History with focus on Indian history and related cultural studies.
SDSt. Stephen's College, University of Delhi
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), History
1995 - 1998
Activities and societies: Recipient of Pratibha Puraskar Scholarship for Sanskrit (class XII); undergraduate coursework in history and culture.
BA (Honours) in History from St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi.
Availability
Location
IndiaAuthorized to work in
Job categories
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