Turning back the pages: Looking back to look forward

History is often dismissed of keeping little utility, in the analysis of policies. Historical research can challenge stereotypes and form substratum of historical interpretation, which is capable of being mercurial and sometimes misunderstood outside the profession.

History is not the blueprint of the future. But it helps in understanding the complexities and enables us to cope with them which may arise in the coming future. History is the magister vitae, which is a means of dissemination and comprehending the folly of our primogenitor. It allows one to experience multifarious situations and conditions, stimulating one’s imaginative and creative ability. It preserves the culture and traditions of a particular time period. All people conditioned by the historical milieu in which they dwelled. People live in present, worry about future and regret the past. History should serve the role of a laboratory, and data from the past should serve as the most vital evidence in the inexorable quest to figure out as to how and why, complex societies behave in different societal settings. Through the study of history, we keep up with the changing surroundings; and only through history we incept the factors causing the changes in the society.

Why has been history neglected and does not receive the importance it deserves? History is largely considered lowly and inferior, compared to science. Science has largely taken control over the education system, especially in schools. Sometimes, history is considered more of a threat than as a source of knowledge.  Yaqoob Bangash, an eminent historian, has rightly pointed out that “For many, history is not a specialised subject at all — everyone and any one can comment on it and hold firm and expert opinions on it.” Resultantly “…the general public believes in fantastic stories, embellished events and concocted tales. Pakistan’s state and power apparatus is terrified of history as it implies inquiry and exploration, and most people have a skeleton in their closet which in their view could be detrimental to the status quo and the interests of the state.

 History is competent of making the human mind a sojourn of enlightenment but it may hypnotize the mind equally. History may lead to highway of progress and prosperity, but it should be studied in alpha and omega.