Theoretical overview
Indian historiography refers to the study of history related to the Indian subcontinent. It involves how historians’ approach and interpret the past of India. Throughout history, Indians have been documenting their own narratives which started with religious and dynasty accounts. These early records often focus on the deeds and achievements of kings and rulers, blending history with mythology.
The study of modern Indian history has been shaped by various school of thought with different perspectives and interpretations. These schools of historiography developed and advocated by historians from different backgrounds providing distinct lenses through which we can understand the complexity of the India’s past. Some of the significant schools are –
The imperial school, encompassing orientalist and utilitarian thought, emerged during the 19th and early 20th century under British historians. According to the school, India was perceived as a stagnant and backward society requiring British intervention for modernization. Prominent figures such as James male, Thomas and Vincent Smith supported this perspective emphasizing the positive impact of British rule including the introduction of Western education and technology.
In contrast, the nationalist school emerged as a response to the imperialist school in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nationalist argued that India poses are rich and wealthy history that the British had overlooked. They stress the significance of Indian culture and traditions asserting that India was capable of achieving independence and self-rule. The key figures of this school are R.G. Bhandarkar, RC Majumdar and K.M. Panikkar.
The Marxist school gained prominence in the mid-20th century and was influenced by the theories of Karl Marx. Marxist history viewed Indian history through the lens of class conflict, emphasizing the role of the working class. They asserted that British colonial rule was exploitative and oppressive.
The subaltern school emerged in the late 28th century and focus on the experience of marginalized social groups in Indian history that mainstream historical narrative which had disregarded or marginalized the voices of these groups. To reconstruct these experiences, they employed diverse sources such as oral histories, folk songs and court records.
Additionally, there are schools of historiography that examine the histories of specific religious communities or reasons in India. Communal histories of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian communities highlights their unique experiences. Regional history, on the other hand, concentrated on the history of specific regions within India such as Bengal, Punjab. It is important to know that these schools represent only of friction of the various different approaches.
Points to remember
- Indian historiography refers to the study of history related to the Indian subcontinent. It involves how historians’ approach and interpret the past of India
- The imperial school, encompassing orientalist and utilitarian thought, emerged during the 19th and early 20th century under British historians. According to the school, India was perceived as a stagnant and backward society requiring British intervention for modernization
- The Marxist school gained prominence in the mid-20th century and was influenced by the theories of Karl Marx. Marxist history viewed Indian history through the lens of class conflict, emphasizing the role of the working class
- The subaltern school emerged in the late 28th century and focus on the experience of marginalized social groups in Indian history that mainstream historical narrative which had disregarded or marginalized the voices of these groups
- Communal histories of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian communities highlights their unique experiences.
