History at its worst!

History at its worst!

History is defined as (courtesy: an online dictionary):

1. The study of past events, particularly in human affairs.

"Medieval European history"

synonyms:			the past, former times, historical events, days of old, the old days, the good old days, time gone by, bygone days, yesterday, antiquity.

2. The whole series of past events connected with a particular person or thing.

"The history of the Empire"

History is a recording of facts as they occur for the purpose of imparting knowledge of past events to future generations so that they may learn of their heritage. History was never meant to be distorted or recorded incorrectly. However, it has been seen that those in power distort history to ensure their own perpetuity. History had become a tool for indoctrination. And those who live by unfair means find that this is a powerful tool. History began to be ‘colored’ according to the likes and needs of the powers that be.

We have seen this in the way the two main proponents of the cold war described the events of the World War II as well as their participation. Both were at loggerheads and their differences were very evident in the way they recorded the events. This distortion was not just for their own people but was disseminated by various means to the people of the world…books; novels, films, documentaries and even comics were not spared. It all depended on which source one reads history from. And both countries attempted to create believers in their beliefs...of course, they never succeeded...!

The history of our own country is no better; it has been written and rewritten to serve the means and ends of the powers that be. Back in the 50’s and 60’s one was exposed to a more factual write-up of the history of India starting with bygone eras of indigenous rulers, the Mongols, the Aryans, the Mughals, the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Chinese and others. One got a fairly impartial view of history and one could draw one’s own conclusions and derive the good and the bad and the ugly.

Not so since the 70’s…the various aspects of historical facts are distorted to show the myopic views of the powers that be in such a way that some historical figures become the villain of the piece from a hero and heroes become the villains. Take the case of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan…they were heartless murderers of everything Hindu and propagated themselves as ruthless rulers. These same characters have become heroes in today's history books...why... because they ‘valiantly’ fought the British and hence they were freedom fighters...what rubbish!

The people who took away the treasures of our country are the very people who are praised today for the sake of increased trade. Good as long as it is in the realm of the verbal…but putting it in print is what rankles the id!

Today’s history books meant to educate the future citizens of past events are so far from facts as it is being colored by religion, creed and caste and are extremely parochial that the readers will obtain an extremely skewed opinion...especially if they take the trouble of perusing the older texts! While the government may, with good intentions, wish to remove the barriers of religion, creed and caste, it does not mean that they do so by distorting history and by crediting persons long gone with qualities that they never had! As a matter of fact, it reeks of childishness when a responsible administration endorses such critical changes. In 20 years time, we will have citizens who would have a very different view of past events and personalities than what we do now. This is such a disservice to the subject of history and the people of a nation. Sad that the powers that be prefer to be blind and deaf to reality.