After the Renaissance and reformation, Europe emerged from the darkness of the Middle Ages. Since it was energised by new concepts and ideas, society underwent a transformation which subsequently led to the scientific revolution and enlightenment, the French revolution and the industrial revolution, inspiring the European powers to extend their influence to the Asian and African countries through conquests and occupation.

The basic objective of the imperial powers was to strengthen their authority, and one way this was done was to either distort the history of the colonised people or to write history from the imperial point of view that glorified the culture of the conquerors while demeaning the traditions and values of the conquered.

The German philosopher Hegel announced in his lectures that only European history had the potential, the vision and the energy to understand God’s design. According to Hegel, the people of this world were either supposed to become a part of the European historical process or remain history-less by playing no positive role in shaping world history.

“Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results.” —Machiavelli

However, Hegel’s assessment proved incorrect because the new emerging forces brought to light those people who were marginalised and had not been given any place in history at all. The new discipline of archaeology excavated the ancient and forgotten civilisations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus valley as well as the Chinese, Vedic Indian, Greek and Roman civilisations. The artefacts and findings of the excavations dazzled the world by showing a highly civilised human mind which had contributed to architecture, painting, sculpture and town planning. When ancient scripts were deciphered, the gates of knowledge opened up about the religious ideas, social structure and political system of the past civilisations. These excavations enriched world history and inspired modern nations to whom the ancient past belongs.

Another important phenomenon which changed the concept of culture and civilisation was the development of anthropology. In search of a new culture, traditions, values and a way of life, anthropologists visited remote parts of the world which were inhabited by tribes and aborigines. Equipped with new technology and knowledge, they reached the South American forest and communicated with the tribes who lived in isolation. They reached and interacted with the Australian aborigines, the tribes of Caribbean islands and the Pacific Ocean and the people of South-East Asia, who were inhabitants of a small island. The discoveries made by these anthropologists were amazing; their studies showed a variety of cultures, customs, traditions and habits of people who lived and enjoyed a peaceful life within their own environment. These studies also indicated the inventiveness of humankind and the creativity of the human mind. The discoveries brought to light the values and norms which the old civilisations were unfamiliar with. As a result, history did not remain limited to the European model but broadened its scope to accommodate marginalised people, transforming them into history makers. They were not passive people but played active and vibrant roles in shaping their destiny.

The colonised nations reacted against foreign domination and imperialist arrogance in writing history that ignored their achievements of the past. As a result, the spirit of nationalism developed which compelled the colonies to trace the roots of their history and construct it with nationalistic inspirations which would further consolidate them to resist foreign domination. As history is the basis of national identity, historians of colonised nations revived the glory of the past and boosted the confidence of the people to fight for their independence. This led to the collection of old manuscripts, publishing of classical literature and teaching history in educational institutions. The result of all these efforts was to bring to light the ancient and medieval past, so as to be able to understand the problems of the present day.

Apparently, Hegel’s ideology of preserving the domination of European history by keeping non-Europeans outside this realm and hence ‘history-less’ proved wrong. History has become a passion for nations, tribes, ethnic and religious groups who want to search their origins in order to empower themselves to be able to face issues of modern society. History of marginalised people is not only written by professional historians but also by those who belonged to these people, for instance, the black community of America and the Dalits of India. History writing has gained momentum and challenges the European domination of historiography.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, September 6th, 2015

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