# Dr. Tohid Ahmad Chattha >![[tohid-chattha.jpg|400]] > > *he/him* > > Government College University-Faisalabad (Pakistan) ## Conference Participation - **Paper:** [[Hīr Wāris Shāh across manuscripts]] - **Session:** [[Session 3. Punjabi Textual & Performative Networks]] - **Presentation Mode:** online - joint paper with [[Anne Murphy]] ## Profile Dr. Tohid Ahmad Chattha is a passionate scholar and advocate for Punjabi language, history, and literature, holding a Ph.D. from the Department of History at the University of Punjab. Specialising in the revolutionary politics of Colonial Punjab, he completed his dissertation on the Kirti Kissan Party, shedding light on its significant role in the region's history. As the founder of Kuknas organisation, Dr. Tohid actively promotes Punjabi literature by translating international works into Punjabi, thus enriching the linguistic and cultural landscape. He serves as the editor of Kuknas Magazine, pioneering the dissemination of translated literature to Punjabi readers, a groundbreaking initiative in the realm of Punjabi literary publication. As a grant researcher, he has contributed to significant projects, including at the University of British Columbia, Canada, “Writing Punjabi across Borders,” aimed at documenting the oral history of Punjabi and preserving archival manuscripts. He has also served as a visiting archivist at the National Museum Karachi, further expanding his expertise in archival studies. Distinguished for his scholarly engagements on global platforms, he has delivered numerous research papers at prestigious international conferences and seminars, furthering discourse on Punjab’s history and cultural significance. Notably, his paper titled "New Verses and the Interplay of Scripts: Waris Shah’s Sufi Narrative Hir in Textual Evidence," presented at the University of York, Toronto, Canada, reflects his expertise in Punjabi literature and textual analysis. Additionally, his contribution to the American Historical Association conference in Philadelphia, USA, with the paper titled “The Archive of the Text: New Directions in Cultural and Material Histories of South Asia,” highlights his innovative approaches to cultural and material histories. Through his research, he continues to enrich academic discourse, offering fresh perspectives and advancing understanding of Punjab’s diverse heritage on the global stage. Demonstrating exceptional leadership, he is the pioneer and chief organiser of the annual Lyallpur Punjabi Literary Festival, the largest of its kind globally, aimed at revitalising Punjabi culture, art, and history. He also serves as the General Secretary of the Lyallpur Young Historians Club (LYHC), where he spearheads efforts to digitise the history of Punjab, fostering awareness and appreciation for Punjabi heritage. Currently teaching at Government College University, Faisalabad, he imparts knowledge on Punjab’s history, colonialism, and revolutionary movements. In addition, he has presented his research at prestigious international conferences and seminars, furthering understanding of Punjab’s rich history and culture. With numerous publications to his credit, both nationally and internationally recognised, he makes significant contributions to academia. He has supervised several M. Phil theses on diverse topics, showcasing his commitment to nurturing the next generation of scholars. He is a dedicated scholar, leader, and advocate, actively engaged in preserving and promoting Punjabi language, history, and literature on both local and global platforms. ## Links - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@LyallpurYoungHistoriansClub) - [FaceBook](https://www.facebook.com/tohid.ahmed/) ### Contact [email protected]