Tan Chung, Historian and Scholar
Historian and Scholar

Tan Chung

Born 18 April 1929 · verify

Established the Centre for East Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in 1968.

Tan Chung is an authority on Chinese history, Sino-Indian relations and cultural exchange. He has been a doyen of Chinese cultural studies in India for nearly half a century.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Tan Chung's father, Tan Yun-Shan, was instrumental in connecting the Indian freedom movement with Nationalist China through the establishment of Cheena Bhavana in Santiniketan during the 1930s.

The Story

1
In 1955, Tan Chung arrived at Santiniketan after his initial education in China, beginning a lifelong engagement with Indian academia and culture at Visva Bharati University where he completed his PhD.
2
🌏 Tan Chung's father, Tan Yun-Shan, founded Cheena Bhavana at Santiniketan, linking Nationalist China to the Indian freedom movement during the 1930s and 1940s, a legacy that deeply influenced Tan Chung's scholarly path.
3From the mid-20th century, Tan Chung taught Chinese and Japanese studies at Delhi University and later became head of the department at Jawaharlal Nehru University, shaping Sino-Indian cultural understanding for decades.
4🎓 After retiring from JNU in 1994, Tan Chung took up a research professorship at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi, continuing his work on Sino-Indian relations and cultural exchange.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2010
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Tan Chung's father founded Cheena Bhavana at Santiniketan, which became a hub for Sino-Indian cultural relations during the Indian freedom struggle in the 1930s and 1940s, linking two nationalist movements.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Matubahar, Johor
Tan Chung was born in Matubahar, Johor, a detail marking the origin of a scholar who would later influence Sino-Indian relations.
1929
📚
Education
Arrived at Santiniketan for studies
Tan Chung came to Santiniketan to pursue his education, eventually earning a PhD from Visva Bharati University.
1955
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Career
Retired from Jawaharlal Nehru University
After decades of teaching, Tan Chung retired from JNU and moved to a research professor role at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
1994
🏅
Award
Received Padma Bhushan and China-India Friendship Award
Recognized by both Indian and Chinese governments, Tan Chung was awarded prestigious honors acknowledging his cultural and historical scholarship.
2010
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Award
Deshikhottama from Visva-Bharati University
Visva-Bharati University conferred its highest honor, the Deshikhottama, on Tan Chung for his contributions to Sino-Indian studies.
2013
📖
Publication
Published 'China: A 5,000-year Odyssey'
Tan Chung's book on Chinese civilization was published by Sage and received critical acclaim from international scholars.
2018
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 2010, Tan Chung was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Indian government and simultaneously received the China-India Friendship Award from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, reflecting recognition from both countries.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Tan Chung authored 'China: A 5,000-year Odyssey' published in 2018 by Sage, a comprehensive work acclaimed for its scholarly depth on Chinese civilization.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

After retiring from Jawaharlal Nehru University in 1994, Tan Chung served as a research professor at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi, continuing his research on cultural relations.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Tan Chung's scholarship helped institutionalize Chinese studies in India, notably at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University, fostering academic exchange during periods of limited diplomatic contact. His work sustained the intellectual and cultural dialogue between India and China, influencing both academic curricula and bilateral cultural policies. The awards he received from both India and China underscore his role in bridging two ancient civilizations through education and research.

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