Neshat Quaiser

Neshat Quaiser (born 29 April 1952) is an Indian sociologist and writer whose research interests include the Social history of medicine & Health, Unani medicine, Islam, Muslims, Sharia, and Communalism in the Indian sub-continent.

He served as a faculty in the sociology department of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi for more than 30 years.

He has been an associate researcher at the Centre de Sciences Humaines (CSH-Delhi) since 2019. He was a research associate at the Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at University College of London in 2000 and 2003 respectively. He has been widely cited and recognised among the scholars worldwide.

He was a visiting fellow at the Department of Sociology, Hyderabad Central University and the Department of History, University of Calcutta.

Education
He received his bachelor's degree in Chinese language, philosophy, and political science from Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi. He also earned a master's degree in sociology from the Centre for the Study of Social Systems. In 1992, the same centre awarded him an M.Phil. and a Ph.D. on the topic of nationalism, religion, and peasant politics in post-colonial India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh against the backdrop of colonial experiences.

Career
He started his academic career by teaching in the sociology department of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. He was associated as a fellow with the University of Calcutta, Hyderabad Central University, Charles Wallace India Trust, and the University College of London.

Presently, he is an associate researcher at the Centre de Sciences Humaines (CSH-Delhi).

Work and reception
He has worked across the different thematic in sociology.

Social history of South Asian medicine & health
His studies focus on how modern medicine in the sub-continent has emerged and what the main factors and conditions made it possible. In this discussion, colonialism and communalism have been also referenced. Many scholars around the world have referenced his work in this debate and discussion.

Unani medicine and its practices were his prior subject area. He searched and read out the maximum related sources in Urdu & Persian. He came out with a thesis that 'Unani' was a pluralist medical practice.

The 'Doctory' as a concept has been introduced by him. This concept tells that the modern medicine, which became closely associated with colonialism, was known in the Indian subcontinent as "Doctory" or Daktari Ilaj. The doctor and Doctory Ilaaj became powerful symbols of colonialism and the colonial state. The doctor was one of the most visible representatives of European knowledge; he was not the Hakim; he looked, dressed, and spoke differently; he created an aura and mystery around himself; he symbolised' modern' medicine; in fact, having a doctor visit became a mark of high status and modernity.

Colonialism
He studies the historical influence of colonial politics on traditional medical systems like Unani and the resistance within these systems against such influences.