It is generally believed that the history being taught to children in Pakistani schools is distorted. I agree with that notion, and I do think we should own up to the Indus valley civilization and Gandhara civilization as that would not impact our religion as some people tend to believe.
As far as considering Ghaznavi, Ghauris, and Moghuls (especially Aurangzeb) as heroes, its natural that heroes of one party are always the villains of others.
Is it Pakistan’s history books which are biased and distorted as they dont mention the atrocities of muslim invaders?
What about the so called ‘civilised world’? Do the Americans teach their children how they treated the red Indians, and are the Australian kids taught about the savage treatment of aboriginals? Do the Germans discuss the holocaust? Similar is the case with all countries, history is generally distorted to rake fake nationhood and sweep the past atrocities under the carpet as nothing happened.
I think history is distorted all over the world. In England templers and knights who were involved in atrocities during Crusades are presented glamorously. In the words of karen Armstrong ’ It is very difficult to step out from that glamour, when people search for the facts’.
In our recent history we can see how the British ruled the world, but do they disclose all the facts? For us the people who launched rebellion movement in 1857 were heroes and for them traitors. What were the reasons for the Americans using an atom bomb? How many people were killed in the Vietnam war and for what? The reason for 1979 war in Afghanistan and the creation of militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Even the current war on terror is shrouded in mystery. We will never know about the real reasons of this war, and what was achieved after that. Have the Americans ever apologized to the millions that have fallen prey to their policies during the past 80 years?
In our recent history we can see how the British ruled the world, but do they disclose all the facts? For us the people who launched rebellion movement in 1857 were heroes and for them traitors. What were the reasons for the Americans using an atom bomb? How many people were killed in the Vietnam war and for what? The reason for 1979 war in Afghanistan and the creation of militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Even the current war on terror is shrouded in mystery. We will never know about the real reasons of this war, and what was achieved after that. Have the Americans ever apologized to the millions that have fallen prey to their policies during the past 80 years?
Academic history is different than the real history.
We are lucky that we got resources to know different versions of history. Consider those people living in Pakistan during 70s - 90s, who could only keep their hands on one-sided history in the shape of Government approved syllabus books and material from the writers like Naseem Hijazi and Ilyas Sita Puri chanting slogans of Nishat e Sania of Muslim Umma and hiding what the rulers of Muslim umma were upto.
I agree, especially with the advent of internet, YouTube and social media we have many many avenues now of researching stuff and make up our mind about different issues. Before we used to be fed by our history books and PTV. Now even if our media tries to hide something (like Balochistan) things come out through the social media and hence give us an alternate view point which was not available before.
Every country presents history in a way that makes them appear more favourable. It's not just Pakistan. Pick up any textbook from any country and u will see it. Prime example which comes to mind is the Indian mutiny 1857 and war of independence 1857.
I agree, especially with the advent of internet, YouTube and social media we have many many avenues now of researching stuff and make up our mind about different issues. Before we used to be fed by our history books and PTV. Now even if our media tries to hide something (like Balochistan) things come out through the social media and hence give us an alternate view point which was not available before.
True and now people started talking about issues which were historical Taboos.
I have also heard that the holocaust is not even addressed in the education system in Pakistan. Is this true?
Any issue with political agenda is not addressed in our syllabus. holocaust is linked with rehabilitation of Israel and therefore not part of Pakistan's education system. Even at many forums in Pakistan, holocaust is said to be a fake and exaggerated propaganda.
It is generally believed that the history being taught to children in Pakistani schools is distorted. I agree with that notion, and I do think we should own up to the Indus valley civilization and Gandhara civilization as that would not impact our religion as some people tend to believe.
As far as considering Ghaznavi, Ghauris, and Moghuls (especially Aurangzeb) as heroes, its natural that heroes of one party are always the villains of others.
Is it Pakistan's history books which are biased and distorted as they dont mention the atrocities of muslim invaders?
What about the so called 'civilised world'? Do the Americans teach their children how they treated the red Indians, and are the Australian kids taught about the savage treatment of aboriginals? Do the Germans discuss the holocaust? Similar is the case with all countries, history is generally distorted to rake fake nationhood and sweep the past atrocities under the carpet as nothing happened.
Australian kids are quite aware of whatever happened to the aboriginals.
It is generally believed that the history being taught to children in Pakistani schools is distorted. I agree with that notion, and I do think we should own up to the Indus valley civilization and Gandhara civilization as that would not impact our religion as some people tend to believe.
As far as considering Ghaznavi, Ghauris, and Moghuls (especially Aurangzeb) as heroes, its natural that heroes of one party are always the villains of others.
Is it Pakistan's history books which are biased and distorted as they dont mention the atrocities of muslim invaders?
What about the so called 'civilised world'? Do the Americans teach their children how they treated the red Indians, and are the Australian kids taught about the savage treatment of aboriginals? Do the Germans discuss the holocaust? Similar is the case with all countries, history is generally distorted to rake fake nationhood and sweep the past atrocities under the carpet as nothing happened.
History is written by the victors and is a very powerful propaganda tool. I am sure there is some amount of distortion in every country's history but the degree of distortion varies. I am not sure how distorted Indian history texts were since my interest in history has been recent (last2-3 years). But I do know that Akbar was the most respected muslim king and Aurangazeb the most reviled atleast among my classmates :D. I understand Pakistan's point in glorifying Aurangazeb due to religious /political views etc w.r.t India . Atleast he was our own homegrown product. But what I failed to comprehend is how you can glorify Ghori and Ghaznavi both who were looters from outside who raped the Indian subcontinent of its riches. Ghaznavi attacked Multan and Peshawar and present day N India. Ghori came and looted Punjab, captured Lahore and Multan and turned ofcourse his attention to Gujarat. Glorifying these 2 characters IMHO is like Indians glorifying Queen Victoria of England and her decendents for successfully denuding us of our wealth. :D
History is written by the victors and is a very powerful propaganda tool. I am sure there is some amount of distortion in every country's history but the degree of distortion varies. I am not sure how distorted Indian history texts were since my interest in history has been recent (last2-3 years). But I do know that Akbar was the most respected muslim king and Aurangazeb the most reviled atleast among my classmates :D. I understand Pakistan's point in glorifying Aurangazeb due to religious /political views etc w.r.t India . Atleast he was our own homegrown product. But what I failed to comprehend is how you can glorify Ghori and Ghaznavi both who were looters from outside who raped the Indian subcontinent of its riches. Ghaznavi attacked Multan and Peshawar and present day N India. Ghori came and looted Punjab, captured Lahore and Multan and turned ofcourse his attention to Gujarat. Glorifying these 2 characters IMHO is like Indians glorifying Queen Victoria of England and her decendents for successfully denuding us of our wealth. :D
I'm sure you can easily find people praising British rule till today :D
You are right that Ghori and Ghaznavi (even MBQ) don't deserve to be presented as heroes. Its just religious propaganda, which is now creating rebel against religion. People don't like religions that preach hatred and unnecessary invasions.
Baat to sach hai magar baat hai ruswai ki.