The Post Graduate and Research Department of History has been elevated due to the dedication of many
versatile teachers and scholars of eminence and prominence. In 1889, the courses offered in the
undergraduate level were History, Philosophy and Biology. The B.A. History Honors was introduced in
1924 which continued till 1958. M.A. History was introduced in 1958, M.Phil. in 1978 and Ph.D. in
1990.
Milestones of the History Department: Prof. M. Ruthnaswamy from the Department of History became the
first Indian Principal of Pachaiyappa's College. Many of the distinguished Professors of the History
Department were T. R. Sesha Iyyengar, C.S. Srinivachari, N.G. Ranga, Rao Bahadur, K.V. Rangasamy, T.
M. Krishnamachari, T.R. Ramachandran, C.E. Ramachandran, N.K. Narayanan, Prof. S. Sambandham and
Dr.R.Thandavan.
Green Memories of History Department Prof. Mrs. Suguna Bai, the Head of the Department organized a
one day International Seminar on "The Perspectives on the Society and Economy in Contemporary
Tamilnadu" on 30.03.2005
Prof. P.R. Rangasamy became the Principal and Head of the Department of History in 2002-2003. He
organized a National Seminar on Centre-State Relations in India. He also presented many research
papers on various topics particularly on the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu. Prof. Mrs. T.
Vaasanthi was the H.O.D. of History from 2006-2008. On 29th February, 2008, she organized a special
lecture in which Mr.M.Gopinath, the famous anchor of 'Neeya Naana' was the chief guest.
Dr. V.G. Shanmugam, the Head of the Department of History for the academic year 2008-2009, conducted
the Inaugural function of the Historical Studies Association which was felicitated by the Alumni of
History Department R. SEKAR, I.P.S.
Dr.C.Thiruvenkadam, the Head of the Department of History from 2009-2011., conducted a 'one day
Indian Council of Historical Research Seminar on "Colonial Madras: The City and its History" on
20-03-2010.
Dr.Prof. P. Kandaswamy was appointed as Principal in 2011. He had the privilege of hosting an
International Conference in connection with Dr. Mu.Va Centenary celebration in 2012.
The Department of History convened 'The Madras Week Celebration' in August 2014.. The History
Department also organized a Special Lecture with Dr. Fukao Junichi, Researcher, Cultural Affairs and
Information Section, Consulate General of Japan as a Chief Guest for the function. He delivered a
Lecture on "Tamilnattil En Arraichippanikal". In 2016, the Department of History convened a special
Lecture on "Mahabalipuram Monuments" which was delivered by Prof. Subramanian Swaminathan, Director,
A centre for Arts and Culture, Pudukottai. The Madras Week celebration of the History Department,
2016 was conducted on 30th Aug, 2016. Kalaimamani V.K.T. Balan, Managing Director, Madura Travel
Service gave a special Lecture on "Chennai - Past and Present".
The Department of History conducted Two Days Workshop on the topic "Emerging Trends in Historical
Research" on the 10th and 11th of Feb, 2017. Dr.N. Rajendiran Director (Rtd) Bharathidasan
University, Trichy conducted the workshop for two days.
