Singh, who is a professor of History at Delhi University and also an expert in Ancient Indian History, delivered the lecture in the English auditorium in memory of Professor Hari Ram Gupta, founder of the Department of History at Panjab University.
The lecture has been held every year since 1996, a university spokesman said.
The auditorium was packed with a curious and appreciative audience comprising among others, students, faculty and members from Infosys, to hear her on 'The Problem of War: Ancient Indian perspectives.'
Upinder is a recipient of the Infosys award in 2009.
In her lecture, Upinder talked of the intellectual engagement in ancient India with the problem of war. She began by comparing the ideas vis a vis violence as expressed by Ashoka, the king, Kamandaka, the political theorist, and Kalidasa.
Ashoka, she said, is known for the bloody wars that he imposed on the people whom he ruled.
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"Yet he is also known for being the harbinger of peace in South Asia. For his belief that it is the duty of the king to ensure the well-being of his people," she said.
While touring the university campus, she visited the room in the Economics Department which her father used while at the university.
She also released a book edited by Professor Devi Sirohi entitled 'History Perspectives II,' which is based on the recent researches by the History department.