The Murder of History by K.K. Aziz: A Critical Review
History is often said to be written by the victors, but what happens when history is written by the losers, or worse, by those who have no stake in it? This is the question that K.K. Aziz, a renowned Pakistani historian, tries to answer in his book The Murder of History: A Critique of History Textbooks Used in Pakistan. In this book, he exposes the systematic distortion and manipulation of history in Pakistan, and its devastating effects on the nation's identity, culture, and politics. In this article, I will provide a brief overview of the book, its main arguments, its strengths and weaknesses, and my personal opinion and recommendation.
Introduction
Who was K.K. Aziz?
K.K. Aziz, or Khursheed Kamal Aziz, was born in 1927 in British India, and died in 2009 in Pakistan. He was a prolific historian, who wrote over 50 books on various aspects of South Asian history, especially on Pakistan and its founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He received his education from prestigious institutions in India, Britain, and Germany, and taught at several universities in Pakistan and abroad. He also served as an advisor to Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the 1970s, but later resigned and returned his state award in protest against the military dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq. He lived in exile for many years, until he returned to Pakistan in 2008, a year before his death.
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What is the book about?
The book The Murder of History was published in 1993 by Vanguard Books in Lahore. It is a critique of 66 history textbooks used in Pakistani schools and colleges from grade 5 to grade 14. Aziz examines these textbooks for their accuracy, objectivity, balance, and coverage of historical facts and events. He finds that these textbooks are full of errors, omissions, distortions, fabrications, and propaganda. He argues that these textbooks are not only poor quality academic works, but also dangerous tools for indoctrinating young minds with false and biased views of history.
Why is it important?
The book is important because it exposes a serious problem that affects the education and development of millions of Pakistani students and citizens. Aziz shows that by presenting a distorted version of history, these textbooks create a false sense of national pride and identity, based on myths, lies, and hatred. He warns that this can lead to ignorance, intolerance, extremism, violence, and isolation from the rest of the world. He also shows that by ignoring or suppressing the rich and diverse history of Pakistan's regions, cultures, religions, and peoples, these textbooks deprive the nation of its true heritage and potential.
Main arguments of the book
The distortion of history in Pakistan
In his book, Aziz identifies three main sources of distortion in Pakistani history textbooks: textbooks themselves, historians who write them, and politicians who control them.
The role of textbooks
Aziz analyzes the content, structure, style, and sources of the textbooks he reviews. He finds that they are full of factual errors, such as wrong dates, names, places, and events. He also finds that they are full of omissions, such as ignoring or minimizing the contributions of non-Muslims, non-Punjabis, women, and minorities to Pakistan's history. He also finds that they are full of distortions, such as exaggerating or inventing the achievements of Muslims, Punjabis, men, and majorities in Pakistan's history. He also finds that they are full of fabrications, such as creating false heroes, villains, and narratives to suit a particular ideology or agenda. He also finds that they are full of propaganda, such as glorifying war, violence, and martyrdom, and demonizing India, Hindus, and the West. He also finds that they are poorly written, poorly organized, poorly illustrated, and poorly referenced.
The role of historians
Aziz criticizes the historians who write these textbooks for their lack of professionalism, integrity, and competence. He accuses them of being ignorant, lazy, dishonest, and biased. He says that they are ignorant because they do not have adequate knowledge or training in history or historiography. He says that they are lazy because they do not do proper research or verification of their sources and facts. He says that they are dishonest because they deliberately manipulate or falsify history to suit their personal or political interests. He says that they are biased because they follow a narrow and sectarian view of history that excludes or marginalizes other perspectives and voices.
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The role of politicians
Aziz blames the politicians who control the education system and the curriculum for the state of history in Pakistan. He says that they use history as a tool for creating a false sense of nationalism and patriotism among the masses. He says that they use history as a weapon for spreading hatred and fear among the people against their perceived enemies. He says that they use history as a means for legitimizing their own power and authority over the people. He says that they use history as a way for diverting the attention of the people from the real issues and problems facing the country.
The consequences of historical falsification
In his book, Aziz warns of the dire consequences of historical falsification in Pakistan. He says that it has negative impacts on the nation's identity, culture, and politics.
The loss of identity and culture
Aziz argues that by presenting a distorted version of history, the textbooks deprive the Pakistani people of their true identity and culture. He says that by ignoring or suppressing the rich and diverse history of Pakistan's regions, cultures, religions, and peoples, the textbooks create a false sense of homogeneity and uniformity among the nation. He says that by exaggerating or inventing the role of Islam and Urdu in Pakistan's history, the textbooks alienate and antagonize the non-Muslims and non-Urdu speakers in the country. He says that by glorifying or fabricating the links with Arabia and Central Asia in Pakistan's history, the textbooks disconnect and isolate the people from their own roots and heritage in South Asia.
The rise of extremism and intolerance
Aziz argues that by presenting a distorted version of history, the textbooks foster extremism and intolerance among the Pakistani people. He says that by glorifying war, violence, and martyrdom in Pakistan's history, the textbooks encourage aggression and militancy among the youth. He says that by demonizing India, Hindus, and the West in Pakistan's history, the textbooks promote hatred and fear among the people against their neighbors and the world. He says that by excluding or marginalizing the non-Muslims, non-Punjabis, women, and minorities in Pakistan's history, the textbooks breed intolerance and discrimination among the people against their fellow citizens and human beings.
The isolation from the world
Aziz argues that by presenting a distorted version of history, the textbooks isolate Pakistan from the rest of the world. He says that by disconnecting Pakistan from its South Asian roots and heritage, the textbooks cut off the country from its natural and historical allies and partners in the region. He says that by alienating Pakistan from its non-Muslim and non-Urdu speaking citizens, the textbooks deprive the country of its cultural and linguistic diversity and richness. He says that by antagonizing Pakistan from its neighbors and the world, the textbooks prevent the country from engaging in constructive and cooperative relations with other nations and peoples.
Evaluation of the book
The strengths of the book
The book has several strengths that make it a valuable and influential work of history. Some of these are:
The extensive research and evidence
Aziz has done a remarkable job of collecting and analyzing a large number of history textbooks used in Pakistan. He has provided detailed examples and quotations from these textbooks to support his arguments and claims. He has also cited numerous sources and references from other historians, scholars, and experts to corroborate his findings and opinions. He has shown a high level of scholarship and rigor in his research and evidence.
The courage and honesty of the author
Aziz has shown a great deal of courage and honesty in writing this book. He has challenged the dominant and official narrative of history in Pakistan, which is often considered sacred and unquestionable. He has exposed the flaws and fallacies of many prominent and powerful historians, politicians, and institutions in Pakistan, which is often risky and dangerous. He has expressed his views and criticisms without fear or favor, which is often rare and commendable.
The relevance and timeliness of the topic
Aziz has chosen a topic that is very relevant and timely for Pakistan and its people. He has addressed a problem that affects the education and development of millions of Pakistani students and citizens. He has highlighted an issue that impacts the identity, culture, and politics of Pakistan and its nation. He has written a book that is needed and necessary for Pakistan and its future.
The weaknesses of the book
The book also has some weaknesses that limit its scope and effectiveness. Some of these are:
The biased and polemical tone
Aziz has written the book in a very biased and polemical tone, which undermines his credibility and objectivity. He has used harsh and inflammatory language, such as "murder", "crime", "fraud", "lies", "propaganda", etc., to describe the state of history in Pakistan. He has also used sarcastic and mocking remarks, such as "brilliant", "wonderful", "amazing", etc., to ridicule and dismiss the views and arguments of his opponents. He has shown a clear and strong preference for his own perspective and interpretation of history, while rejecting or ignoring other possible or alternative ones.
The lack of constructive suggestions
Aziz has written the book in a very negative and pessimistic way, which offers little hope or guidance for improvement. He has focused mainly on criticizing and exposing the problems and errors in Pakistani history textbooks, but he has not provided any concrete or practical suggestions or solutions for fixing or reforming them. He has also not addressed the challenges and difficulties that may arise or exist in changing or revising the history curriculum or textbooks in Pakistan, such as political resistance, social backlash, academic inertia, etc.
The outdated and incomplete sources
Aziz has written the book based on outdated and incomplete sources, which limit its scope and relevance. He has reviewed only 66 history textbooks that were used in Pakistan until 1991, but he has not included or considered any newer or updated textbooks that may have been introduced or revised since then. He has also not compared or contrasted the Pakistani history textbooks with those of other countries or regions, such as India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, etc., which may have different or similar approaches or perspectives on history.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, The Murder of History by K.K. Aziz is a book that critiques the history textbooks used in Pakistan for their accuracy, objectivity, balance, and coverage of historical facts and events. The book argues that these textbooks are full of errors, omissions, distortions, fabrications, and propaganda that present a false and biased version of history to the Pakistani students and citizens. The book warns that this can have negative consequences on the nation's identity, culture, and politics, such as loss of heritage, rise of extremism, and isolation from the world. The book also evaluates the role of textbooks, historians, and politicians in creating and perpetuating this situation. The book has several strengths, such as extensive research and evidence, courage and honesty of the author, and relevance and timeliness of the topic. The book also has some weaknesses, such as biased and polemical tone, lack of constructive suggestions, and outdated and incomplete sources. The book is a valuable and influential work of history that deserves to be read and discussed by anyone interested in Pakistan and its history.
Personal opinion and recommendation
Personally, I found the book to be very informative and insightful, as it opened my eyes to the many problems and issues in Pakistani history textbooks. I learned a lot about the history of Pakistan and its regions, cultures, religions, and peoples, that I did not know or learn from my school or college education. I also appreciated the author's courage and honesty in writing this book, as he faced a lot of criticism and opposition from many quarters. I agree with most of his arguments and findings, but I also acknowledge that he may have some biases and limitations in his approach and perspective. I think the book could have been improved by adding some positive and constructive suggestions for reforming the history curriculum and textbooks in Pakistan, as well as by updating and expanding the sources and examples to include newer and more diverse ones. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Pakistan and its history, or who wants to challenge and question the official and dominant narrative of history in Pakistan.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the book The Murder of History by K.K. Aziz:
Where can I find or download the book?
You can find or download the book from various online platforms, such as Amazon, Google Books, Scribd, etc. You can also check your local library or bookstore for a copy of the book.
What are some other books by K.K. Aziz?
Some other books by K.K. Aziz are The Making of Pakistan: A Study in Nationalism, The Coffee House of Lahore: A Memoir 1942-57, A History of the Idea of Pakistan, Jinnah Papers: Prelude to Pakistan, etc.
What are some other books on Pakistani history?
Some other books on Pakistani history are Pakistan: A Modern History by Ian Talbot, Pakistan: A Hard Country by Anatol Lieven, Pakistan: A New History by Ian Talbot, The Struggle for Pakistan: A Muslim Homeland and Global Politics by Ayesha Jalal, etc.
What are some other sources or references for learning about Pakistani history?
Some other sources or references for learning about Pakistani history are the websites of the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research (NIHCR), the Pakistan Studies Centre (PSC), the Pakistan Historical Society (PHS), etc. You can also watch documentaries, podcasts, lectures, etc., on Pakistani history from various online channels, such as YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, etc.
How can I contribute to improving the state of history in Pakistan?
You can contribute to improving the state of history in Pakistan by reading and learning more about Pakistani history from diverse and reliable sources, by questioning and challenging the false and biased views of history presented in textbooks or media, by supporting and promoting the work of honest and competent historians and scholars in Pakistan, by participating in discussions and debates on historical issues and topics with others, by raising awareness and educating others about the importance and value of history for Pakistan and its people.
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