Twitter
Advertisement

History should be based on evidence, say experts

The conference, ‘Indian History Writing: Present Scenario and Prospects’, organised by Department of History and Indian Culture, saw historians and acclaimed writers from across the country.

Latest News
article-main
Delegates at the ‘Indian History Writing: Present Scenario and Prospects’, organised by Dept of History and Culture on Friday.
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

History, a subject of controversy for a long time, became a debate of interpretation versus manipulation by several historians present at national conference organised at RU.

The conference, ‘Indian History Writing: Present Scenario and Prospects’, organised by Department of History and Indian Culture, saw historians and acclaimed writers from across the country.

“A historian cannot manipulate the truth but can interpret it. The interpretation depends on the mindset, environment, and cultural situations. It depends on what is required at that moment. Interpretation is presenting the facts based on evidences, while manipulation is showcasing the subject in own manner,” said Dr Balmukund Pandey, secretary, Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana.

Further, Dr SC Mishra, retired principal, Government College Ganganagar, explained that history has become a tool to glorify communities.

“With time, each community is making efforts to push their contributions in history. However, real history is different. A real historian needs to go by the facts. The spirit of investigating the truth is slowly dying,” Mishra said.
KG Sharma, head, Department of History and Indian Culture, University of Rajasthan, also informed that imperialists have written history according to their own wishes, they selected certain facts.

“They created the theory of Aryan invasion, while Aryas were the natives of this land. Similarly, history has been manufactured for certain purposes by various historians. If certain politicians wished to be presented in certain perspective, they would want to history to be written in particular manner,” Sharma said.

He further added that historians do have a set mind. Even if they don’t, each individual’s mind is fixed in certain ways. The inclinations would automatically filter into the writings.
“We are now coming to several new perceptions to history like Sabaltan history, feminist historical writing, we are also using new sources for reconstruction of history,” Sharma informed.This will also give a fillip to the subject in the city. 

Looking back

  • Dr SC Mishra, retired principal, Government College Ganganagar, explained that history has become a tool to glorify communities 
  • KG Sharma, head, Department of History and Indian Culture, University of Rajasthan, also informed that imperialists have written history according to their own wishes, they selected certain facts. “They created the theory of Aryan invasion, while Aryas were the natives of this land.”
Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement