Historian Joya Chatterji wins £50k Wolfson History Prize

Historian Joya Chatterji has won the £50,000 Wolfson History Prize for Shadows at Noon: The South Asian Twentieth Century (The Bodley Head).

The winner was announced at a ceremony in central London, while the five shortlisted authors each took home £5,000.

The book was previously longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction 2024 and shortlisted for the Cundill History Prize 2024. Shadows at Noon is an exploration of what unites India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and the judges described it as a "captivating history of modern South Asia" that is crafted "with verve and energy".

A judging panel comprising historians Mary Beard, Richard Evans, Sudhir Hazareesingh, Carole Hillenbrand, Diarmaid MacCulloch and chair David Cannadine presided over the shortlist for 2024, which recognises well-researched, readable historical books.

Cannadine added: "Shadows at Noon is a highly ambitious history of twentieth-century South Asia that defies easy categorisation, combining rigorous historical research with personal reminiscence and family anecdotes. Chatterji writes with wit and perception, shining a light on themes that have shaped the subcontinent during this period."

Paul Ramsbottom, chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, commented: "For over 50 years, the Wolfson History Prize has celebrated exceptional history writing that is rooted in meticulous research with engaging and accessible prose. Shadows at Noon is a remarkable example of this, and Joya Chatterji captivates readers with her compelling storytelling of modern South Asian history."