As knowledge unfolds the mysteries of this universe, history also extends its domain to include different aspects. After investigation, it unifies them in order to create a comprehensive knowledge of the universe.

David Christian, professor of history, introduced a concept of history known as Big History, based on the idea that the academic study of the past can no longer be carried out from a nationalist perspective. He argues that the discipline will progress only once it charts human activity with a global scope.

It is the technique which the historian Braudel described as ‘Longue durée’ or long duration. According to him, historians can detect major changes when history is studied on a broader scale of time. Along with astronomers, geologists, biologists, anthropologists, archaeologists, historians, David Christian used the technique to study history, social and natural sciences. According to him, the history of nature and human beings is closely integrated and falls under the same sphere of knowledge. History records change, without which there would be no history.

History begins with the creation of the universe, the stars, the solar system, and the appearance of earth.

Life emerged on earth and as a result of an evolutionary process, the Homo habilis appeared, followed by the homo erectus, and finally the homo sapien. With this began the incredible journey of the homo sapien from Africa to the other parts of the world, which has been carefully documented by archaeologists.

The Prehistoric era spans the time from about 2,000,000BC to roughly 2000BC, when the Classical Age began with the rise of the Greek and Roman empires.

Archaeologists term the pre-historic period as the time before written history began, so it encompasses the Stone Age (Paleolithic and Neolithic ages), the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. The Palaeolithic Age had a duration of 10,000 years while the duration of the Neolithic age is 5,000 years. The duration of the modern period so far is 2,000 years and it still continues. Both the Palaeolithic and Neolithic ages marked important geographic and climatic changes that affected human societies. It was a period of exploration where man learned about trees, plants, animals and different sources of food. He hunted for about three hours, and the rest of the time was devoted to discovering, learning and rest. During this period, man developed some important characteristics which helped him to survive in the changing environment. For his survival, man needed to be innovative and constantly improved tools made of stone and bones. He acquired adaptability to changing climate. He shared knowledge with other fellows and communicated it to the next generation.

This was followed by the early agriculture period when man settled in fertile land and started farming. Life of a farmer was difficult compared to a hunter’s. He had to clear forest land and develop it for irrigation. In absence of developed tools, he had to work hard to look after his crop. Gradually he learnt farming.

In the Bronze Age, tools and weapons were invented. With the increase of production and growth of population, the social structure of communities transformed.

In the early period, the concept of power was from below because to protect itself and its produce against invasions, communities would hand over power to a group of people who could guard against invaders. Nomadic tribes living outside settlements raided them to loot and plunder agricultural produce. This led to the building of walls around settlements for protection.

Later, in the agricultural period, the guardians assumed power to protect their community which created the concept of power from above. It was during this period that the institution of state emerged along with kingship, army, bureaucracy and social hierarchy developed.

During this era emerged great empires, absolute monarchy with divine power, bloody battles for expansion of empires, building of great monuments such as temples, palaces, tombs and forts as expressions of power and grandeur.

The state began to extract surplus from people to sustain its expenses. The discovery of iron led to technological development. The invention of writing documented political, social, artistic and literary activities of societies. As some scripts were deciphered, immense knowledge and material were provided to historians to reconstruct the ancient past.

To David Christian, the 17th century is the beginning of the modern period. The Industrial Revolution in England which later spread to other European countries, radically transformed the world. It led to capitalism, while technological and scientific inventions not only increased knowledge of the world but also changed the lifestyle of human beings. The speed of change is so rapid today that it has become impossible to assimilate it in different aspects of life.

Big History traces the history of the universe which encompasses 13 billion years. It is a fascinating journey to understand human history in such a broad perspective. Is there any chance of introducing this course in Pakistani universities?