Course Description

Eighteenth-Century Udaipur: Art & Architecture is an immersive, practice-oriented certificate course designed to introduce learners to the study of art, architecture, and heritage through the vibrant cultural landscape of Udaipur. Offered jointly by the Rajasthani Bhasha Academy and the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), this month-long program brings together academic rigor, hands-on museum training, and field-based learning in one of Rajasthan’s most historically rich cities. Guided by Prof. Hallie Nell Swanson, Lecturer in Humanities at NYU London, participants will examine the artistic traditions and cultural practices that shaped eighteenth-century Udaipur, while also gaining exposure to the contemporary concerns of museum studies, conservation, and curatorial practice. The course is ideal for students interested in history, art history, anthropology, cultural studies, heritage studies, museum studies, architecture, and related fields. 

Course Dates & Venue

Tentative Dates: July 2026
Location: City Palace Museum, Udaipur

 

Course Overview: 

1. Preparatory Module (10 Days, Online)

Students explore key themes in museum studies through readings on museum history and contemporary concerns with conservation, accessibility, community engagement, and sensory and digital approaches. The history of eighteenth-century Udaipur and its artistic production is also introduced. This unit includes Rajasthan-focused exhibition catalogues and curator reflections, and concludes with an assignment in which write a short review of a local museum.

2. On-Site Module in Udaipur (10 Days)

Held at the City Palace Museum and nearby institutions, this module includes object-handling sessions, curator-led tours, meetings with conservators and museum professionals, and field visits to diverse heritage spaces. Students observe how different institutions—public, private, family, and religious—care for and interpret their collections.

3. Final Project (10 Days, Remote)

Students develop an independent capstone project on Udaipur material of their choice, applying concepts from the course. Projects are submitted for detailed feedback from the course convenor.

By the end of the program, participants will have:

• A nuanced understanding of Udaipur’s artistic, architectural, and cultural heritage
• Hands-on experience with museum practices, cataloguing, conservation, and documentation
• Direct engagement with curators, conservators, and heritage professionals
• Practical training in curatorial thinking, interpretation, and object-based research
• A portfolio-ready capstone project reflecting their engagement with Udaipur’s material culture

Upon successful completion of assignments and evaluations, participants will receive a Certificate in Museum Studies and Heritage Practices from the Rajasthani Bhasha Academy and MMCF.

For more details about the course, visit us here.

Student Intake:
The course will admit up to 40 participants to ensure meaningful engagement during on-site sessions, object handling, and field visits.

Please note: The course fee covers academic instruction, site visits, and course materials. Travel, accommodation, and meals are not included. 

For any queries, reach our team at [email protected] or +91 79766 22947.