The Department of history was established in year 1960. Prof. Satya Parkash was the first head of the department from 1963 to 1995. Dr Rekha Sud Handa chaired the department from 1995 to 2017.Through her hard work and dedication she inculcated the traditions of work culture and values in the department. The department was elevated as P.G. Department in the year 2004 with the objective of fulfilling the demand of the students, as the number of students studying history as a subject increased manifolds. The department aims to promote not only the study of history as a subject but also to promote inquisitiveness amongst students and learning through research in their respective areas i.e. to promote & trace local history through various activities organized by the department.

Presently, the department is chaired by Mrs. Sonu Kapila (M.A. NET) who is keeping up the values deposted by her ancestors. She has teaching experience of 25 years and has published 3 books 15 research papers in reputed journals. She has got a Minor UGC Research Project of Rs. one lakh on the topic 'A Historical Encyclopedia of Sikh Ethics' in March 2010.

The department is known for academic excellence as students get University positions  and clear UGC NET and JRF exams. In session  2017-18 Jyoti got 3rd position in University. PG students got 8 positions in PU in session 2018 - 2019 in third semester breaking all the earlier records. Arvish Chawla got second position in University in first semester in session 2020-2021.Students who cleared JRF/NET:

Rudresh cleared JRF

Akshay cleared JRF

Tarsem cleared NET

Govind cleared NET

Names of Programmes/Courses offered :

  1. History as a subject in B.A.
  2. A. History 
  3. History & Cultural of Punjab as compulsory subject in lieu of Punjabi.

List of Publications :

Mrs. Sonu Kapila

Books:

  • Punjab ka Rajneetik Aur Aarthik Itihaas (1800-1966) by Sonu Kapila, Unistar Books Pvt. Ltd., Chandigarh, ISBN 978-93-5113-407-7
  • An Encyclopaedia of Sikh Ethics by Sonu Kapila, Unistar Books Pvt. Ltd., Chandigarh, ISBN 978-93-5113-485-5
  • Punjab da Itihas (1450-1700) by Sonu Kapila, Unistar Books Pvt. Ltd., Chandigarh, ISBN 978-93-5204-298-2

Research Papers:

Total Publications: 15.

Latest Publications are

  • History of Human Rights of Women in India.... International Conference on Human Rights DAV College Abohar 2016 ISBN 9751137467
  • Women in Gandhian Mass Movements... National Seminar DAV College Abohar 2016 ISBN 978938618046
  • Praja Mandal Movement in Punjab.... National Seminar DAV College Abohar 2016 ISBN 9789351137276
  • Gandhi and Socialism.... Online Journal of Social Sciences

Departmental Activities:

The department has associations for students for extra-curricular activities:

  • Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial History association
  • Aryavratiya continuities Exhibitions

The department organizes quiz competitions, extension lectures, symposiums, plays, celebration of important days and exhibitions. The students participate in essay writing competitions and poster making competitions. The martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh is celebrated on 23rd of March annually in which students are encouraged to present life and events of the great martyr through skits and declamation.

Aryavratiya continuities is an exhibition organized annually in which students bring historical artifacts which are displayed to connect with history in a novel manner. Students are encouraged to make projects on different historical events and local history. National level seminar on topic “Gender Relations in Modern India” was organized by the department.