A Steady Decline in the Reading of Historical Books |
In most sophisticated societies, historical study is regarded with great enthusiasm. History is widely debated, read, and questioned; in this way, the past appears as a living guide rather than an unchangeable memory. Pakistan, a South Asian country shaped by layered civilisations, postcolonial struggles, and colonial encounters, has a rich historical legacy. Sadly, we can witness a steep decline in the reading of historical books. The prescribed textbooks have historical deficiencies and do not fulfill the need for proper literary reading habits. This alarming decline is not only a matter of concern for the country and society, but it will also be reflected in intellectual incapacity. Consequently, it will lead to societal, educational, and political challenges, which the country will be obliged to address in the near future.
Reading historical works was once considered a wise pursuit. The reading of historical books was associated with madrassas, libraries, scholarly traditions, and literary circles. The historical accounts of K.K. Aziz, Ayesha Jalal, I.H. Qureshi, and Mubarak Ali during the colonial and post-colonial periods provide valuable insight and encourage critical engagement with the past. Previously, the analysis of history was not limited to classrooms; rather, it was part of public discussions, intellectual debates, and political consciousness. In contrast, today, history is often regarded merely as a subject to be read, rather than as a source of learning. The concern is that history enables individuals to analyse the present situation based on past experiences.
However, over time, the culture of reading history in Pakistan has become less exploratory and more instrumental. Most students worldwide focus on passing the examination rather than pursuing intellectual curiosity. As a result, not only is wisdom regarding the past diminishing, but history as a discipline is........