Rajaram Hegde, Professor of History and Archeology, Kuvempu university in conversation with Harshit Joseph talked about how stories and history blend in the context of Indian history.
“History should be the truth of what happened, at some place during some time. Correct facts that happened with sufficient evidence of it happening is of paramount importance. It is also important to find the exact time of this happening, since objectivity can be derived only if there is correct time. Also, anyone should be able to verify the facts if it should be considered history.” said Prof. Hegde.
“When British came to India, they asked the locals for history. The scholars and pundits of India, not knowing what exactly ‘History’ was gave the British the records of Vedas, Puranas, and the epics. These were stories containing history, but this history was mixed with stories. Hence, the British proceeded to historicizing the stories, while adding in details for it to make sense. The originals were categorized as myths. Due to this, the British and subsequently the Europeans opined that ‘Indians lack sense of history.’ Records are different from history, as the records may be of stories or histories. Rather history is embedded in records. We must construct history from records.” said Prof. Hegde.
Professor Rajaram Hegde also said,” History is an unending dialogue between historian and his facts” when questioned about the discrepancies in oral history passed down and generally accepted history. He accepted that there is always the chance that the most solid and accepted historical fact may be proven wrong at some point of time.