UNDERSTANDING HISTORYWHAT IS HISTORY ? NATURE OF HISTORY

IMPORTANT KINDS OF HISTORY REELATION OF HISTORY WITH OTHER

SOCIAL SCIENCES THEORIES OF HISTORY

APPROACHES OF HISTORY DIVISONS OF HISTORY

HISTORIANS THROUGH AGES

WHAT IS HISTORY ? - 1The Meaning of History

Henry Jonson – “ History in broadest sense is every thing whatever

happened E. H. Carr – “ history is unending dialog

between present and past ”Lord Action – “ History is the unfolding

story of human Freedom ”Reiner – “ History is nothing but the

story of man living in society ”Carlyle – “ History is nothing but

biographies of great men ”

WHAT IS HISTORY – 2 Seeley - “ History is past politics and present politics is future History ”

B. Sheikh Ali – “ History is the yardstick to measure human progress

”Nevins – “ History is the bridge

connected with past and present and pointing the path of future ”

Karl Marx – “ History is nothing but class struggle ”

ETC.

IMPORTANT KINDS OF HISTORY - 1Political History – “Since the earliest period, political history has been the most favorite

kind of history ”Social History – “ Social history includes

mainly the social life of people viz. religion, morals, food, dress, and culture etc.”

Military History – “ Military history is also closely related to the political history.

Historians made a detailed study of the causes of war, strategy of war , military

organization etc. ” Economic History – “ Economic history is the story of various ways which man has

obtained a living.”

IMPORTANT KINDS OF HISTORY - 2

Legal History – “ Legal history is developed in the present age. The historians tried to under stand legal development and legal

institutions.” Universal History – “ Universal history is the

modern branch of history. It deals in international events and adopts a world

view point.”Diplomatic History – “ Diplomatic history is known as branch of political history. Each state has diplomatic relation with other states and study of these relations with various states are known as diplomatic

history. ”

NATURE OF HISTORY- 1 Earlier history was considered only the record of the past events but at

present it is studied with critical approach and scientific manner.

Before 19th century there were many historians who recorded events.

Among them Herodotus, Polybius, Livy, Ibn-Khaldun etc.

NATURE OF HISTORY – 2 “ HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF ”

The historians who believe this idea, argue that human mind is alike all over the world

and forces that influence the events are also alike.

But some historians are not believe this theory. They point out that, ‘ the basic

nature of history is constant change. The historical events are not uniform.’ Trevelyan

says that , ‘ history repeats itself and also that history never repeats itself fully . ’

NATURE OF HISTORY – 3 “ CYCLIC NATURE OF HISTORY ”

Historians believe that the history moves in a circle. Every event has a starting point, a climax a after that downfall. This process begins again

and again. They hold that rise and fall of civilizations and dynasties confirm

this nature of history.

NATURE OF HISTORY - 4“ UNENDING DIALOGUE ”

E. H. Carr have held the idea of unending dialogue. According to him history is unending dialogue between the present and the past. … present

generation can understand past generations in terms of their own

experiences.

THEORIES OF HISTORY - 1Teleological theories – Christianity regarded history as a

drama. Christen believers had deep faith in this idea. That, will of God is responsible for every event and rise and fall of empires and culture happened because of his will. So who support this theory, have faith in luck, chance and

super natural things. Cyclic Theories – Cyclic theory of history means historical movements happened as cyclic. Vico the Italian thinker

support this theory and considered historical movements as cyclic. He argued that it has four phases, Age of God,

the age of hero , the age of men, and age of new barbarians.

THEORIES OF HISTORY - 2Cause on Theory – The historians in te beginning

did not think about the cause of events. They only described the course of events. … At present the historians are providing more importance to the

causes of the events.There are many theories of cause on and each

theory seems reasonable. Those are --- 1- Divine plan – The followers of this theory believe that fate s man moving force in history. … All they believe that great men like Kings, heroes,

priests and elite of the society.

THEORIES OF HISTORY - 3I- They play a great role in several happenings but

there are many events which happened due to God’s will. 2 – Rationalist Theory –In the

seventeenth and eighteenth centuries rationalism grew in the society. Several thinkers abandoned

the Divine force in the happening of events. They declined to the insolvent of God in human

development. They paid heir attention on human beings and provided greater emphasis on the role

of man. 3- Nationalist Theory – With the beginning of the nineteenth centuries another important approach was adopted, that was nationalism.

THEIRIES OF HISTORY - 4 4- Marxian Theory – this theory was adopted by

Karl Marx who presented a materialistic interpretation of historical happenings. His

theories influenced the whole world. He argues that the existing struggle is only class struggle and

a few powerful persons dominate all other classes. 5 – Post Modernist Theory of History - Theory of history is not static but it is

moving. In the post modernist period the nature of history changed and it developed a scientific

view in place of subjective. Modern historians like Wells, Spangler and Toynbee being motivated by

this feeling. …

APPROACHES OF HISTORY -1THEOLOGICAL ATTITUDE OF HISTORY –

In the beginning people adopted theological approach of history. History writing was greatly influenced by religion

of writer. According to Parsi religious concept, there is constant

conflict between truth and false and the victory of truth is main aim of history.

In the Jewish concept of history is not manly but Godly. In Christen mythology the will of god of considered

supreme and it is believed that all the activities in the world take place because of his will.

APPROACHES OF HISTORY - 2ORIENTALIST ATTITUDE OF HISTORY

After the decline of the theological approach of history some new concepts emerged which

influenced the society and man to a great extent. The ancient Indian history writing was based on the Vedas, the Puranas, inscriptions and folklores which

affected their very much. There history writing is based on the principle of universal brotherhood and

sovereignty.

APPROACHES OF HISTORY -3 MARXIST ATTITUDE OF HISTORY

Historical interpitation of Karl Marx is known as Marxist approach to history. According to Karl

Marx economy is also responsible for friendly and inimical relations between the two nations.

IMPERIALISTIC APPROACH OF HISTORYIn the 19 th century on account of the tendency of

establishing economic and political supremacy over the developing courtiers by the developed nations, gave rise to the imperialistic attitude of

history.

APPROACHES OF HISTORY - 4NATIONALIST ATTTUDE OF HISTORY

The feeling of nationalism was given great importance during 19th century. From past to the present day the feeling of nationalism is always

found in history. Early its nature was not so militant as it is seen in the present time.

POST MODERNIST ATTITUDE OF HISTORY The nature of post Modernist history can be

completely scientific and analytical. At present history is accepted as a secular and impartial

subject and the feeling of bias has been completely discarded.

APPROCHES OF HISTORY- 5SUBALTERN SCHOOL OF HISTORY

In this approach the historians who took initiative are Sumit Sarkar, R. P. Datt, Ranjeet Guha, Shahid

Amin, David Hardman, Gyan Pandye etc. These writers with the above assumptions started the study of condition of Indian people under British rule. The main emphasis of Subaltern historians

was upon Indian national Movement but focus is shifted towards lower segment of the society. They

studded the Indian masses and their feelings against British government by imposing blame

upon the Nationalist heros.

Dr. SOPAN SHENDEAssociate. Professor And Head

Dept. Of History, SIR PARASHURAMBHAU COLLEGE,

PUNE

THANK YOU