Kozhikode, April 26: M G S Narayanan, one of India’s most respected historians and former chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), died at his residence in Malaparamba, Kozhikode, on Saturday.
He was 93. Family members said he passed away due to age-related ailments and is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar described Narayanan as a historian, writer, and columnist whose contributions “left a deep imprint on the field of historiography.”
His tenure as ICHR chairman between 2001 and 2003 remains a notable chapter in Indian academic history, Arlekar said.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan noted Narayanan’s efforts to defend historical scholarship against distortion. “MGS adopted a different path from traditional historical writing by scientifically analysing documents,” Vijayan said.
He added that Narayanan acknowledged the social roles myths played rather than dismissing them, integrating them into historical analysis.
Vijayan also recalled how Narayanan’s commitment to unbiased scholarship positioned him against both Left- and Right-wing pressures. “He protested in strong language in 2015 against growing intolerance under the Sangh Parivar rule,” Vijayan said.
Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan said Narayanan consistently resisted attempts to manipulate history to serve political power. “He fought against everyone who distorted or fabricated history. We bid farewell to the country’s most courageous and authoritative historical researcher,” Satheesan said.
Speaker A N Shamseer noted Narayanan’s fearless stance in political and social matters. “His style of openly expressing his positions was always notable,” Shamseer said.
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar credited Narayanan for maintaining intellectual integrity in his scholarship.
“A towering academic, he leaves behind a legacy of courage, depth, and lifelong dedication to truth in history,” Chandrasekhar said.
In her message, Wayanad MP and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi remembered Narayanan’s scholarship and cultural influence. “His fearlessness and wisdom will always be remembered in Kerala’s cultural and literary spheres,” she said.
Narayanan’s scholarly career spanned decades. Born on August 20, 1932, Muttayil Govinda Menon Sankara Narayanan — known widely as MGS — studied at the University of Madras, graduating first in his class with a master’s degree in history.
He began his teaching career at Guruvayurappan College, Kozhikode, before joining the postgraduate department of history at the University of Kerala, then located in Kozhikode.
Following the creation of the University of Calicut, he became the founding head of its history department, where he taught from 1976 to 1990.
During this period, he ushered in a major shift in historical studies in Kerala, steering it towards a more evidence-based, critical approach.
Narayanan’s PhD thesis, Perumals of Kerala, explored Kerala’s socio-political history from the 9th to the 12th centuries and remains a landmark work.
His research extended into the history of Tamilakam, ancient Indian history, and the methodologies of historiography.
Throughout his career, Narayanan maintained close ties with the Indian History Congress, serving in several roles.
He also worked internationally as a Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and as a visiting fellow at the University of Moscow and the Institute of Oriental Studies in Leningrad.
Proficient in Malayalam, English, Tamil, and Sanskrit — and well-versed in Brahmi, Vattezhuthu, and Grantha scripts — Narayanan trained as an epigraphist and led numerous research projects in collaboration with the ICHR.
Over the years, he mentored more than a thousand students and supervised countless postgraduate theses.
A prolific writer, he published over 200 articles in Malayalam and English, making historical scholarship accessible beyond academia.
Beyond his scholarly pursuits, Narayanan contributed to Kerala’s cultural and political discourse as a poet, literary critic, political observer, and social activist.
Known for his candidness, Narayanan often courted controversy but remained steadfast in his views, earning admiration for his fearless approach.
His enduring influence continues to shape historical research and public thought in Kerala and beyond.
