Bio
Pavittarbir Singh Saggu is a dedicated researcher and academic based in Amritsar, Punjab, India. He holds a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree from Panjab University, Chandigarh, where his research focused on the critical intersection of Climate Change and Agriculture. His scholarly work spans diverse and impactful topics, including historical analyses of British imperialism, the environmental challenges faced by the Mughal army, land reforms in India, and the pressing issue of farmer suicides in Punjab. With a strong foundation in Political Science and Social Science, Saggu has authored four notable papers, contributing valuable perspectives to contemporary and historical debates. His work reflects a deep engagement with both the natural world and socio-economic structures, demonstrating a commitment to understanding complex societal issues through a rigorous academic lens.
Educational Journey
Panjab University
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) • Climate Change and Agriculture
Experience
Research
Mughal Army and the Natural World: Three Instances When Mughal Army Ran Up Against Force of Nature
Winters in George RR Martin's novels A Song of Fire and Ice and HBO's hit series Game of Thrones can last for years. They bring the kingdom of Westeros long nights, cold, and the never-ending snow. Winters also revive aggressive non-human beings known in the books as the Others and in the TV series as the White Walkers. Wight armies are zombie armies led by these animals. The fear of such a dreadful winter is immortalized in the proclamation "winter is coming," which has become a part of popular culture. The Mughal Empire did not have any White Walkers or Wights. Winter, on the other hand, could hit the empire's armies with equal terror. Furthermore, while the people of Westeros had the only winter to fear, Mughal armies also had to contend with a second season: monsoon. The empire's military juggernaut was slowed by this fear of environmental powers, and territorial expansion was also jeopardized. Three tales of Mughal troops, officers, and even a prince who declined to serve because of environmental concerns will be presented in this essay.
Time’s Monster: History, Conscience and Britain’s Empire
Priya Satia's book "Time's Monster: History, Conscience, and Britain's Empire" shows persuasively colonial policies that sought to reform and civilize the colonized were supported by economic exploitation. History and history were the handmaidens of British imperialism in the 19th century. Historians wrote to justify the empire and history was used by politicians and public figures to rationalize conquering acts. At that time, the idea of progress that was derived from the Enlightenment and the development of capitalism after the industrial revolution dominated the intellectual landscape. In all good conscience, well-intentioned people were convinced that it was their duty, their moral responsibility, to civilize people who had not yet experienced progress, meaning capitalist modernity. Capitalist modernity not only meant an economic system, but it denoted an entire intellectual apparatus and institutional practices. British imperialism originated as an organized system of economic exploitation through which, at the expense of conquered and colonized territories, Britain enriched itself.
