Interpreting History

  • We have heard of this statement: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it
  • Effectively, it tells us that we have to be aware of our history
  • That we need to be aware of the mistakes that we have committed in our past and avoid repeating them if the consequences are bad
  • We also take pride in our past, about the history of our country, about human civilization, about our culture
  • Yet we never realise that what we know of our history is what is documented by the people living and experiencing at that period of time
  • We interpret the writing to match our beliefs
  • Is it possible that what we have learnt of our own history is not interpreted correctly?
  • This is the surmise on which a novel I am currently reading based on!
  • Whether it is possible to interpret history in a different way or different context
  • The situation quoted in the novel is about slavery
  • A fictional group is systematically out to interpret slavery in the US as not existent at all
  • It tries to and almost succeeds in the belief that what we interpret as slavery was actually a work contract
  • Of course, I have not yet finished reading it but I guess, in the end the hero of the novel quells all such attempts
  • But what got me thinking is whether it is possible for us to interpret our own history differently?
  • How and why could the British actually conquer this vast nation?
  • Why did only a few fight for freedom and why did others join the British?
  • What were the conditions in those days?
  • We read history from the perspective of the British and in the perspective of the freedom fighters,  but nowhere is it documented from the perspective of the Indians who supported the British
  • At least to my knowledge
  • Similarly, I am also puzzled by the holocaust in Europe
  • How could the Nazi torment and eliminate the Jews without any Jews fighting back?
  • Why are there no Jew freedom fighters?
  • Conversely why are there freedom fighters in India unlike the Jews?
  • A very pertinent question indeed
  • Can anyone shed light on this matter?

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