Volume - II

Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena

Vice- Chancellor

HPNLU, Shimla

Dr. Ruchi Raj Thakur

Assistant Professor of English

HPNLU, Shimla

Dr. Hari Chand

Assistant Professor of Economics

Dr. Ved Prakash

Assistant Professor of Political Science

Dr. Honey Kumar

Assistant Professor of Sociology

Ms. Akshita Dhiman

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Dr. Narender Pal

Assistant Professor of History

Technical Assistance

Mr. Arun Kumar

Assistant Librarian

Tanishtha Dhar – IV Year

Nehal Jhalani – IV Year

Navya Chadha – IV Year

Sunidhi - IV Year

Surbhi Dixit - IV Year

Avani Rusia – III Year

Vinita Pathak – II Year

Sushant – II Year

“The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.”

Guided by this timeless wisdom, I express my sincere happiness in introducing the second edition of HPNLU Journal of Social Sciences (2025), Peer-Reviewed Journal. This quote by Rabindranath Tagore captures the true purpose of the social sciences which is not just the congregation of information but is more about thinking critically about human existence, society, and the values that guide us through the journey of life. It inspires us to connect knowledge with deeds, fostering insights that can guide society toward greater understanding, justice, and harmony. At this juncture when I am presenting this edition, I am reminded of John Dewey’s words, “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” These words remind us that meaningful learning must grow with the times and with the society it seeks to serve. In an epoch marked by unprecedented moral, social, political, and economic challenges, the role of social-science research becomes not only pertinent but very crucial.

This edition appears at a moment when the boundaries between law, society, economy, politics, and ecology have become more permeable than ever. As an interdisciplinary endeavour of Himachal Pradesh National Law University, the Journal seeks to move beyond the traditional silos of legal scholarship and engage deeply with the broader concerns of the social sciences. In doing so, it reflects our belief that meaningful learning must evolve with the times and with the needs of the society it seeks to serve. This edition engages with a wide range of thought-provoking themes that contribute meaningfully to understanding and enhancing human life.  It explores ideas of chivalry and compassion in ancient statecraft, investigates alterations in the Mauryan criminal justice system under Aśoka, and analyses contesting narratives within Indian historiography, studies the role of Buddhist monastic institutions in shaping pre-modern Sikkim, etc. Contemporary concerns are addressed through discussions on gender, gig work, and precarity in India’s digital economy, along with a literary exploration of female identity in the works of Gabriel García Márquez. The volume also reflects on the historical transformation of a Himalayan hamlet into Simla, the summer capital of the British Raj. Together, these contributions illuminate the complexities of the present moment while drawing lessons from the past.

This volume arrives against the backdrop of ecological, democratic, and epistemic challenges that demand fresh conceptual tools and a renewed ethical commitment from social-science scholarship. The articles, research notes, and review essays included here respond to this call by questioning inherited categories, amplifying marginalised perspectives, and imagining futures oriented toward justice and sustainability.

My sincere appreciation goes to the Advisory Board, the anonymous peer reviewers, the faculty members on the Editorial Board, and the student editorial team, whose collective effort, insight, and dedication have brought this volume to fruition.

As the HPNLU Journal of Social Sciences marks another milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering fearless, interdisciplinary, and context-sensitive scholarship, especially from the peripheries that often remain unheard in mainstream academic discourse. May the ideas contained in this volume travel far, encourage thoughtful debate, and contribute, however, modestly to the ongoing pursuit of a more equitable and reflective society.         

Sd/

Editor -in -Chief

Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena

Vice-Chancellor

HPNLU, Shimla