In a remarkable achievement that highlights the growing importance of environmental scholarship, Harvard historian Sunil Amrith has been awarded the prestigious 2025 British Academy Book Prize for his compelling work 'Burning Earth: Environmental History of South Asia'.
A Groundbreaking Environmental Narrative
The £25,000 prize recognizes Amrith's exceptional contribution to global understanding of climate change through the lens of South Asian history. 'Burning Earth' stands out for its powerful exploration of how environmental transformations have shaped human societies across the Indian subcontinent.
Connecting Past and Present Climate Challenges
Amrith's work masterfully bridges historical analysis with contemporary climate concerns, tracing how centuries of environmental change continue to influence modern ecological crises. The book offers profound insights into:
- The historical roots of current climate vulnerabilities in South Asia
- How colonial and post-colonial policies shaped environmental outcomes
- The intersection of climate change with migration patterns and economic development
- Indigenous knowledge systems and their relevance to modern conservation
Judges Praise Transformative Scholarship
The judging panel, comprising distinguished academics and writers, described Amrith's work as "a tour de force that redefines how we understand humanity's relationship with the natural world." They particularly noted the book's ability to make complex environmental history accessible and relevant to contemporary policy discussions.
About Sunil Amrith
Sunil Amrith, currently the Mehra Family Professor of South Asian Studies at Harvard University, has established himself as a leading voice in environmental history. His previous acclaimed works include 'Unruly Waters: How Rains, Rivers, Coasts, and Seas Have Shaped Asia's History' and 'Crossing the Bay of Bengal: The Furies of Nature and the Fortunes of Migrants.'
The British Academy Book Prize, formerly known as the Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize, celebrates outstanding works of non-fiction that demonstrate rigor, originality, and significant contribution to global cultural understanding. Amrith's win marks a significant moment for environmental scholarship receiving mainstream recognition.
