The Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research (FIHCR) is delighted to announce the FIHCR Annual History Prize for Indian Historical Scholarship and Civilisational Storytelling.
About
Launching in 2026, the FIHCR Annual History Prizes honour exceptional works of historical scholarship and historical fiction that contribute to serious public understanding of India’s past. By foregrounding rigorous research and civilisational storytelling, the prizes encourage intellectual independence and elevate historically grounded national discourse.
Recognising Excellence in History Writing and Civilisational Storytelling
The Inspiration
The monumental works of three inspiring scholars and authors Dr R. C. Majumdar, Dr. S. L. Bhyrappa, and Anant Pai have inspired FIHCR to institute these prizes.
Dr Ramesh Chandra Majumdar (1888–1980) was one of modern India’s foremost historians and a foundational figure in 20th-century Indian historical scholarship. Trained in rigorous archival research and source criticism, he worked across ancient, medieval, and modern periods with meticulous scholarship. Majumdar served as founder-principal of the College of Indology at Nagpur University, taught at the Universities of Chicago and Pennsylvania, and presided over the Asiatic Society. His monumental works, including the eleven-volume history of India spanning from the Vedic era to independence, The History and Culture of the Indian People, that he led as the general editor and his writings on the freedom struggle, exemplify how rigorous, evidence-based scholarship can reach a broad readership without compromising intellectual integrity.
Dr Santeshivara Lingannaih Bhyrappa (1931–2025) was among the most distinguished literary figures of modern India, celebrated for his profound engagement with history, philosophy, and civilisation through fiction. Writing primarily in Kannada, his works were translated into numerous Indian and international languages, earning him a truly pan-Indian and global readership. His novels are marked by meticulous research, intellectual depth, and moral seriousness, seamlessly blending historical realities with philosophical inquiry and narrative power. A recipient of the Saraswati Samman and the Padma Bhushan, Bhyrappa’s oeuvre demonstrates how historically grounded fiction can become a powerful medium for cultural reflection, national memory, and enduring literary excellence.
Anant Pai (1929–2011), fondly remembered as Uncle Pai, was a pioneering force in Indian children’s publishing and education. An educationalist and visionary storyteller, he created Amar Chitra Katha, the iconic illustrated series that introduced generations of young readers to Indian mythology, history, and folklore, and Tinkle, a much-loved children’s magazine. Motivated by the realisation that Indian children often knew more about foreign myths than their own heritage, Pai combined careful research with accessible storytelling to bridge this gap. His work fostered cultural confidence, curiosity, and historical awareness, leaving an enduring legacy in Indian childhood reading.
Prize Categories and Corpus
The 2026 edition includes four categories of prizes. Each prize includes a monetary award and will be celebrated in the form of an award ceremony and a public event in August, 2026. The four categories in which the prizes will be awarded this year are:
- The R. C. Majumdar Prize for Indian History (Academic or Public history): INR 10 lakhs
- The S. L. Bhyrappa Prize for Indian Historical Fiction: INR 5 lakhs
- The Anant Pai Prize for Historical Writing for Children: INR 3 lakhs
- The Anant Pai Prize for Illustration in Indian Historical Writing for Children: INR 2 lakhs
Eligibility, Nomination & Evaluation
Eligibility
For FIHCR Annual History Award, 2026 edition only the titles published between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025 are eligible for consideration. The titles must be written (illustrated in the context of the Prize for Illustration) by Indian nationals residing in and outside India. To nominate a title, applications must be submitted exclusively by the book’s publisher.
Eligible titles may be originally written in English or translated into English. The work needs to engage substantively with India’s history, civilisation, or cultural experience. The titles nominated for a category must be aligned with the theme of the prize category.
Submissions for the the R. C. Majumdar Prize for Indian History and the S. L. Bhyrappa Prize for Indian Historical Fiction should demonstrate rigorous engagement with primary sources, including texts, inscriptions, and archival materials, as well as serious engagement with indigenous textual and intellectual traditions.
Submissions for the Anant Pai Prize for Indian Historical Writing for Children should demonstrate captivating storytelling for children and/or young adults while being rooted in historical evidence, research rigour and indigenous knowledge traditions. On similar lines, the Anant Pai Prize for Illustration in Indian Historical Writing for Children will celebrate work that demonstrates historical responsibility and authenticity, child-centred communication, and artistic excellence.
Nomination Process
Publishers (academic publications, as well as popular trade non-fiction books) can nominate eligible works by completing the nomination form for the different prizes.
As part of the application process, publishers are required to submit three copies of the book to the Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research (FIHCR) for evaluation in the addresses mentioned in the nomination form.
The deadline for submissions is 28 February 2026.
Evaluation
The jury, constituted by the Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research (FIHCR), is committed to maintaining the utmost integrity and transparency. The prizes will recognise authentic, evidence-based, Indic narrative of Indian history that involves a rigorous engagement with primary sources (texts, inscriptions, archival materials), and indigenous textual traditions. The prizes for the children’s category will also celebrate efforts that help make history alive for younger readers and connect them with the rich civilisational heritage of India through the craft of captivating storytelling and engaging illustrations. The decision of the jury is final and binding across all the categories.
FAQs
What are the FIHCR Annual History Prizes?
The FIHCR Annual History Prizes are national awards established in 2026 by the Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research (FIHCR) to celebrate Indian historical scholarship and civilisational storytelling.
FIHCR is instituting the following four prizes in 2026:
- The R. C. Majumdar Prize for Indian History (English language)
- The S. L. Bhyrappa Prize for Indian Historical Fiction (English language)
- The Anant Pai Prize for Historical Writing for Children (English)
- The Anant Pai Prize for Illustration in Indian Historical Writing for Children
What is the prize corpus?
- The R. C. Majumdar Prize for Indian History: INR 10 lakhs
- The S. L. Bhyrappa Prize for Indian Historical Fiction: INR 5 lakhs
- The Anant Pai Prize for Historical Writing for Children: INR 3 lakhs
- The Anant Pai Prize for Illustration in Indian Historical Writing for Children: INR 2 lakhs
Are translated works considered?
Both original works in English and translations into English are eligible.
Are self-published books or e-books eligible?
No. Eligibility is limited to professionally published books that have national or international distribution.
Is there a nomination process?
Yes, nominations are received from the books’ publishers via the nomination form published on FIHCR website and shared across FIHCR social media platforms.
How are the awardees selected?
A jury composed of distinguished scholars, writers, artists/ illustrators, and public intellectuals selects the awardees following thorough consideration of both a longlist and a shortlist.
How can I nominate a book or apply?
Eligible books published between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025 are received from publishers via nomination only. To nominate click the ‘Nominate now’ button above the FAQ section. You may also find the link of the Nomination Form under the Nomination section.