सांप्रदायिकता और इतिहास अध्ययन

Summary

The article examines the roots of communalism in India, arguing that a major factor has been the communal interpretation of Indian history taught in schools and colleges. This perspective, which became widespread over the last hundred years, leads people to unconsciously absorb a biased view, such as seeing the ancient period as glorious and the medieval period as one of decline. The author, historian Bipan Chandra, contends that the idea of India as a Hindu nation and the notion that Muslim rulers were foreign were first propagated by British writers and later adopted by Hindu and Muslim communal historians. This communal historiography was encouraged under British rule as part of a divide-and-rule policy. The article criticizes the traditional focus of history-writing on political events, wars, and rulers, which neglected economic, social, and cultural developments. This emphasis, often from a religious perspective by priestly chroniclers, reinforced communal views. In contrast, a broader study of history—including economic, social, and cultural aspects—reveals class interests and shared conditions across religious lines. For example, Hindu and Muslim peasants faced similar exploitation, and social hierarchies existed within both communities. The article concludes that a scientific study of history shows the communal perspective is factually and analytically wrong, being a product of unscientific politics first used by foreign rulers and later by communalists for their own ends.