Dr. Ravi J. Khangai

Dr. Ravi J. Khangai

Academic and Historian

Position	Associate Professor and Head
Department	History and Archaeology
Institution	Central University of Karnataka
School	School of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Ph.D.	Jiwaji University, Gwalior
Research Interests	Indian history, Bhakti Movement, Mahabharata
Email	ravikhangai@cuk.ac.in
Location	Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India

Dr. Ravi J. Khangai is an academic associated with the Department of History and Archaeology at the Central University of Karnataka, India. He serves as an Associate Professor and Head of the department in the School of Social and Behavioural Sciences. His academic qualifications, professional experience and research activities include the study of Indian history, the Bhakti Movement of Maharashtra and historical themes in the Mahabharata.

Academic Profile

Dr. Ravi J. Khangai is based at the Central University of Karnataka, Kadaganchi, Aland Road, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India. His academic career includes teaching positions at institutions in Tripura, Maharashtra and Karnataka. He has also participated in research projects and received fellowships related to Indian historical and cultural studies.

Education and Qualifications

Dr. Khangai's educational qualifications and certificates include:

1. Online Certificate Course in Hinduism Through Its Scriptures — Harvard, 2016; reported score: 97%.
2. Online Certificate Course in Mahabharata and Ramayana — Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2016; reported score: 68%.
3. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) — Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India, 2007. Research topic: Bhakti Movement of Maharashtra.
4. Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) — Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India, 2003; reported score: 79%.
5. National Eligibility Test (NET) — University Grants Commission, India, 2002.
6. Master of Arts (M.A.) in History — Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India, 2002; reported score: 65.4%.
7. Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) — Punjab University, India, 1997; reported score: 69.3%.
8. Class XII — Maharashtra State Board, India, 1993; reported score: 75%.
9. Mechanical Engineering qualification — Certificate stated to be equivalent to a degree in Mechanical Engineering, awarded by the Indian Air Force, 2006.

Academic Distinctions

The academic distinctions reported by Dr. Khangai include:

• Divisional Board topper in Class XII.
• Second topper at the university level in the M.A. programme.

Professional Experience

Dr. Khangai's professional experience includes service in the Indian Air Force and academic appointments at several educational institutions.

Period	Position or Activity	Institution
1991–2006	Served in the Indian Air Force	Indian Air Force
2006–2008	Teacher	Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
2008–2013	Assistant Professor	Ambedkar College, Fatikroy, Government of Tripura
2013–2023	Assistant Professor	Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University
June 2023 onwards	Associate Professor and Head	Central University of Karnataka

During his service in the Indian Air Force, he was awarded the Operation Vijay Medal for participation in the Kargil action, according to the supplied biographical information.

Fellowships

Dr. Khangai has reported receiving the following research fellowships:

1. Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) Post-Doctoral Fellowship, 2012–2013 — Research topic: Varnasankara (mixing of castes) in the Mahabharata.
2. Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research (FIHCR) Senior Research Fellowship, 2025–2026 — Research topic: Ecodharma in the Mahabharata.

Research Projects, Grants and Consultancy

His reported research projects, grants and professional activities include:

1. Minor Research Project sponsored by the University Grants Commission (UGC), 2015 — Research topic: Aborigines in the Mahabharata. Reported grant amount: ₹150,000.
2. Research project sponsored by Sanskriti, North Eastern Institute of Culture and Religion, Guwahati, 2016 — Research topic: Darlongs of Tripura: Their Aspirations and Achievements. Reported grant amount: ₹50,000.
3. Travel grant — Partial travel assistance of ₹37,000 from Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University for attending a conference in the United States.
4. Subject Matter Expert, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) — Reported engagement beginning in 2020.
5. Subject Expert, Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), New Delhi — Reported subject-expert association.

Research Interests

Based on the research topics and academic activities listed in the supplied biography, his areas of academic interest include:

• Indian history and historical studies.
• The Bhakti Movement of Maharashtra.
• Historical and cultural themes in the Mahabharata.
• Caste and social structures in ancient Indian literature.
• Ecodharma and environmental perspectives in Indian traditions.
• Indigenous communities and the history of Tripura.

== Global Research Rating == According to his Academia.edu profile, Dr. Ravi J. Khangai was rated among the top 0.5% of scholars globally in May 2023. * Academia.edu profile of Ravi J. Khangai == International Assignments == # Expert Contributor, Database of Religious History (DRH): Contributed an entry on the Varkaris to the database maintained by the University of British Columbia, Canada. # Contributor, Hinduism and Tribal Religions: Contributed fourteen essays to the Springer reference work Hinduism and Tribal Religions. The series editor is Arvind Sharma of McGill University, Canada. # Contributor, India Discovery Centre: Wrote three essays for the upcoming museum of Indian culture at the India Discovery Centre, Boston, United States. # Independent Reviewer, Cambridge University Press: Served as an independent reviewer for Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom, according to the supplied biography. === External Links === * Database of Religious History – Varkaris entry * Hinduism and Tribal Religions – Springer * India Discovery Centre == Research Publications == === Papers in Scopus-Listed or Web of Science Journals === # Khangai, Ravi, and others. "Religion, Caste and Electoral Politics in India: A Longitudinal Research Study on Social Divisions, Political Mobilization, and Democratic Governance." Scientific Culture, vol. 12, no. 4, 2026, pp. 3806–3814. ISSN 2407-9529. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.12426435. # Khangai, Ravi, and Soumita Mitra. "Dharmic Environmental Ethics: Tree and Animal Worship in Indian Tradition." Flora and Fauna, vol. 32, no. 1, 2026, pp. 55–65. ISSN 2456-9364. Article. # Khangai, Ravi, and others. "Strengthening Democracy Through Local Government Law Reforms: Global Trends and Lessons." Lex Localis – Journal of Local Self-Government, vol. 23, special issue 5, October 2025, pp. 1544–1554. ISSN 1581-5374; E-ISSN 1855-363X. DOI. # "Geographical Factors and Economic Development in North East India: A Historical Perspective." International Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 11, no. 16, August 2025, pp. 2442–2457. ISSN 2229-7359. DOI. # Khan, Malay, and Ravi Khangai. "Ancient Indian Education System and Scientific Temper: A Historical Analysis." Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, vol. 30, no. 6, November 2024, pp. 5301–5307. ISSN 2148-2403. DOI. # Khangai, Ravi, and S. Mitra. "Al Biruni's India: Investigating Others' Perception." Kurdish Studies, vol. 10, no. 2, December 2022, pp. 1251–1254. ISSN 2051-4883 (print); ISSN 2051-4891 (online). Article. # Khangai, Ravi, and S. Mitra. "Hunting and Curses: The Eco-Philosophy in the Mahabharata." International Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 9, no. 1, 2023, pp. 7–10. ISSN 2229-7359. DOI. # "Patriarchy and Virginity Myth in the Mahabharata." Indian Historical Review, vol. 48, no. 2, December 2021, pp. 233–250. ISSN 0975-5977. Published by Sage for the Indian Council of Historical Research. DOI. # Khangai, Ravi, and S. Mitra. "Spirituality and Medical Ethics: The Indian Way." Journal of Critical Review, vol. 7, issue 10, 2020, pp. 6956–6959. ISSN 2394-5125. DOI: 10.53555/jcr.v7i10.13335. # "Educational Practices and Marginalization of Indigenous Population in Tripura Region of India." Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, vol. 11, issue 2, May 2020, pp. 949–954. E-ISSN 1309-6591. DOI. === Papers in UGC-CARE-Listed Journals === # "Effect of Modernity on the Darlong Tribes of Tripura." Sanshodhak, Rajwade Sanshodhan Mandal, Dhule, special issue, vol. 2, June 2024, pp. 51–60. ISSN 2394-5990. # "Creating False Consciousness: Women as Agency of Patriarchy in the Mahabharata." Sanshodhak, Rajwade Sanshodhan Mandal, Dhule, vol. 2, June 2023, pp. 90–100. ISSN 2394-5990. # "The Soft Power of Indian Civilization: The Mahabharata in Indonesia." Sanshodhak, Rajwade Sanshodhan Mandal, Dhule, special issue, vol. 1, June 2023, pp. 175–179. ISSN 2394-5990. # Khangai, Ravi, and Satish Chaple. "Humanizing the Epical Characters: Kunti and Her Desires in Bhyrappa's Parva." Tattva-Sindhu, vol. 8, 2021, pp. 136–145. ISSN 2349-1426. # Khangai, Ravi, and Satish Chaple. "Cultural Encounter, Trust Deficit and Psychology of Unrest in the North East of India." Tattva-Sindhu, vol. 9, 2022, pp. 20–28. ISSN 2349-1426. # "Divinizing Human Life via Swami Vivekananda's Advaita." Third Concept, vol. 36, no. 429, November 2022, pp. 23–24. ISSN 0970-7247. # "Iravati Karve's Contribution to Indology." Sanshodhak, Rajwade Sanshodhan Mandal, Dhule, March 2022, pp. 194–199. ISSN 2394-5990. # "Rajasika (Passion) Personified: Drona in the Mahabharata." History Today: Journal of History and Historical Archaeology, vol. 21, 2020, pp. 126–130. ISSN 2249-748X. # "Ecodharma: Reverential Environmentalism in the Mahabharata." Middle Flight: SSM Journal of English Literature and Culture, vol. 9, no. 1, November 2020, pp. 102–112. ISSN 2319-7684. # "Recasting the Epical Character: Karna, the Subaltern Hero in Dinkar's Rashmirathi." Sampriti: Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, vol. 6, issue 2, September 2020, pp. 486–498. ISSN 2454-3837. # "Elitism vs. Egalitarianism in the Varkari Tradition of Maharashtra." The Journal of Interdisciplinary Policy Research and Action, vol. 11, issue 1, January–March 2018, pp. 12–16. ISSN 0975-0568. # "Animal Ethics in the Mahabharata." Think India Journal, vol. 22, issue 10, November 2019, pp. 3279–3288. ISSN 0971-1260. # "When Not Fighting Can Become a Cruelty? Dharmayuddha, the Righteous War in the Mahabharata." History Research Journal, vol. 5, issue 6, November–December 2019, pp. 198–213. ISSN 0976-5425. # Khangai, Ravi, and Laxman D. Satya. "Tilak–Agarkar Debate: Ideologies of Social Reforms in 19th-Century Maharashtra: Its Relevance and Irrelevance." History Research Journal, vol. 5, issue 6, November–December 2019, pp. 106–117. ISSN 0976-5425. # "Patriarchy and Women's Body in the Popular Text: Madhavi in the Mahabharata." Intellection, vol. 7, no. 2, July–December 2019, pp. 7–11. ISSN 2319-8192. # "Rajsika (Passion) Personified: Drona in the Mahabharata." History Today: Journal of History and Historical Archaeology, vol. 21, 2020, pp. 126–130. ISSN 2249-748X. # "Ecodharma: Reverential Environmentalism in the Mahabharata." Middle Flight: SSM Journal of English Literature and Culture, vol. 9, no. 1, November 2020, pp. 102–112. ISSN 2319-7684. === Papers in Peer-Reviewed Journals === # "Between the Sacred and the Vernacular: Regional Diversity, Ritual Agency, and Sociopolitical Dimensions of Indian Folk Deities." International Journal of Novel Trends and Innovation, vol. 4, issue 5, May 2026, pp. 96–105. ISSN 2984-908X. # "The Home Rule Awakening: Maharashtra's Pivotal Role in Reinvigorating Indian Nationalism (1914–1918)." Gurukul International Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 13, issue 6, June 2025, pp. 1–8. ISSN 2394-8426. Article. # "Whispers and Gossip in Ancient India: Communication, Secrecy, and Social Life." International Research Journal of Education and Technology, vol. 8, issue 9, September 2025, pp. 126–136. ISSN 2581-7795. # "Philosophy of Education and Its Significance for Special Teachers." International Research Journal of Education and Technology, vol. 8, issue 4, April 2025, pp. 391–415. ISSN 2581-7795. Co-authored. # "Situating Subalterns in the Popular Sanskrit Text: The Nagas in the Mahabharata." Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University Research Journal (Humanities), vol. 46, 2018–2019, pp. 9–18. ISSN 0972-6349. # "The Vanquished Hits Back: Alternative Perspectives of the Mahabharata." Journal of Higher Education and Research Society: A Refereed International Journal, vol. 4, issue 1, April 2016, pp. 145–155. ISSN 2349-0209. # "Why Should Arjuna Kill? The Bhagavad Gita's Justification of Selective Violence." American Research Journal of History and Culture, vol. 1, issue 2, 2015, pp. 12–24. ISSN 2379-2914. # "Niyoga (Levirate) and Sexual Politics in Ancient India: Reflection on the Indian Epic Mahabharata." American Research Journal of History and Culture, vol. 1, issue 1, February 2015, pp. 14–24. ISSN 2379-2914. # "Reflection of Asura Culture in the Indian Epic Mahabharata." Sandhan, Dr. Bhagavandas Gupt Smriti Shodh Sansthan, Jhansi, vol. 13, December 2015, pp. 92–99. ISSN 2249-846X. # "North East and Indian Freedom Struggle: Subhash Chandra Bose and His Activities in Manipur and Naga Hills." Scholars Vision, vol. 6, July 2015, pp. 8–13. ISSN 2278-7984. # "Vivekananda's Philosophy of Education." Ambedkar College Research Journal, vol. 1, issue 1, July 2015, pp. 1–10. ISSN as supplied: 657-2395-2350. # "Narration of Conflict Between Urban People and Forest Dwellers in Sanskrit Literature of Ancient India: Reflection on the Mahabharata." Journal of Interdisciplinary Policy Research and Action, vol. 8, issue 5, January–June 2015, pp. 34–41. ISSN 0975-0568. # "Bhakti and Identity: Maharashtra Dharma in Marathi Bhakti Poetry." Journal of Interdisciplinary Policy Research and Action, vol. 7, issues 3–4, July–December 2013–2014, pp. 94–105. ISSN 0975-0568. # "Swami Vivekananda's Enlightened Nationalism." Scholars Vision, vol. 5, November 2014, pp. 1–5. ISSN 2278-7984. # "What the Mahabharata Says About Corruption?" Scholars Vision, vol. 4, July 2014, pp. 23–26. ISSN 2278-7984. # "Apaddharma (Law at the Time of Distress) in the Mahabharata." Intellection, vol. 2, no. 1, January–June 2014, pp. 101–105. ISSN 2319-8192. # "Bhishma in the Mahabharata: A Character Analysis." Voice: Journal of the Department of English, B.N. College, Dhubri, 2013, pp. 18–24. ISSN 2230-9934. # "Why Do We Kill Our Daughters? A Historical Perspective." Scholars Vision, vol. 2, February 2013, pp. 1–7. ISSN 2278-7984. # "Chokhamela, the Lower-Caste Bhakti Saint of Maharashtra." Scholars Vision, vol. 1, July 2012, pp. 8–17. ISSN 2278-7984. # "Trade and Trade Routes in North East India: A Historical Perspective." Indian Journal of Humanities, vol. 1, 2011, pp. 159–160. ISSN 2248-9541. # Ratnam, K., and Ravi Khangai. "Saint Gyaneshwara and His Contribution to Indian Society." Journal of the Meerut University History Alumni, vol. 6, 2005, pp. 40–42. == Research Areas == The topics listed in these publications cover the following areas: * Indian history and historiography. * The Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita. * Bhakti traditions and religious history. * Caste, gender and social structures. * Environmental ethics and ecodharma. * Indigenous communities and the history of North-East India. * Indian education and philosophy. * Political thought, nationalism and democratic governance. == External Links == * Academia.edu profile * Hinduism and Tribal Religions – Springer * Database of Religious History

Contact Information

Institutional Address:

Department of History and Archaeology

School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Central University of Karnataka

Kadaganchi, Aland Road

Kalaburagi – 585 311

Karnataka, India

Email:

• ravikhangai@cuk.ac.in
• ravikhangai@gmail.com

Telephone: +91 84460 00912

References

• Institutional faculty profile and university records should be consulted to verify the current designation, appointments and academic qualifications.
• Fellowship award records and research-project documentation may be used to verify the listed fellowships, grants and research topics.
• Official records from the relevant institutions may be used to establish the details of the academic appointments and military service.

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