Re: End of the past?
Aadaab arz hai. 
Re: End of the past?
It should be just an academic study of all events, characters, civilizations that were and are part of the region we call our country.
Merci beaucoup, Monsieur!
Exactly. History should be about equipping ourselves with the knowledge of the past to understand our present. Understanding the linkages between past and present is absolutely basic for a good understanding of the condition of being human, changes in our societies and our surroundings. It is essentially a study in human and societal development. We need History to become a professional field of academia in Pakistan, a specialised field of research with allocated funds and access to sources. Only then we would be able to enrich our the intellectual experience of our Historical studies with objective analysis, evidence based interpretations, intellectually simulating theories, concepts and ideas to put the past in a proper context. For that, let's start off by formally periodising Pakistan's history. That's one big and easy solution to the problem.
I mean this whole childish nonsense of using History subject to 'glorify' and 'glamourise' personalities either on the basis religious or racial contempt for sake of it? This is not academic history. I can't believe how pathetically cringe-worthy this view is. Imagine saying all that in front of a panel full of professional practicing historians? They'll just politely tell you to get out of the room. It is nothing but a benighted dogma, boorish anti intellectualism with veneer of racial bigotry and xenophobia.
Re: End of the past?
Madame.
And yes, as far as I understand your post, most here are agreed to what you said.
Although I must admit that I haven’t read the thread from the start.
Re: End of the past?
#teamtamashbeen](http://www.paklinks.com/gs/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=teamtamashbeen)
Re: End of the past?
Re: End of the past?
Well said. Sons of soil are better even if they are looters, funny. this is racism. Ethnic pride looks good at start, but it ultimately leads to stupidity, differences, and hate.
Just look at the BJP and RSS goons to know what the next level of this 'natives pure, foreigners evil' racism would look like, if it is not challenged properly in its preliminary stage. The rise of RSS in a seemingly secular and multi-ethnic country like India shows just how important it is to keep ethnic and religious hatred in check.
Considering how racially diverse Punjab's population is, this whole 'sons of soil' baloney is sickening to the core and ever so disrespecting to province's rich culture and heritage. The province absorbed more racial strains than any other provinces in Pakistan (or even in whole of India one may argue). It is because of its history that Punjab stands proud of its diverse ethnic make up and inter-racial harmony. Despite the gross mismanagement, its population enjoys the highest rate of economic, social and geographical mobility than any other provinces in Pakistan who apparently seem to have 'better' History than Punjab. Whatever on earth that really means.
The general non-existence of sons of soils versus outsiders bigotry in big province like Punjab perfectly explains why we officially have never suffered from the toxic spread of ethnic politics within the province, and this just goes on to prove why Punjab has always been a home for anyone and everyone who settled there and called it a home. Children of Punjab need to learn and appreciate this about their province - this is one of facets of teaching tolerance and humanity. The reason religious tolerance got bad because we deliberately experimented with it, and created a Frankenstein monster that we are now struggling to annihilate. In light of all that, common sense and basic human decency would suggest that issue of race and ethnicity should be not tempered with at any price. Why do you want to follow the failed practices of other provinces and divide the province's population into the 'proud and pure' sons of soil versus evil outsiders categories? This is nothing but making a mockery of Punjab's vast history.
So much for this vague and inadequately explained notion of 'struggle', more ideas and movements have blossomed in the heart of this land than anywhere else in Pakistan. Even the recent of wave of 'Azadi March' movement most perfectly complimented Punjab's long history of being independent, standing up and being ever so responsive to new ideas and change. That's Punjab's intellectual heritage! Our identities are not singular, but plural. We as people of Punjab have unique mix of overlapping identities, therefore it is essential that we understand and appreciate the subtle but every so significant multiplicity of our ethnic and cultural heritage. Starting from the start of the times to contemporary eras. No one ethnic identity or racial mix up is better than the other. We will learn our history that way it happened. We won't allow handful of fascists and racists to put the entire nation of Punjab on trial, and make us feel ashamed and apologetic over the past we had no control over.
If this whole sons of soil rubbish sells in other provinces, that's their misfortune. Why should Punjab fall for such mentality? It has been doing pretty well without being fed racial bigotry so far. Just omit the religious dogma out of texbooks, and start teaching diverse and wide range of meaningful and proper academic history, and Punjab will forever retain its whimsical glory and mighty stature.
Re: End of the past?
Just look at the BJP and RSS goons to know what the next level of this 'natives pure, foreigners evil' racism would look like, if it is not challenged properly in its preliminary stage. The rise of RSS in a seemingly secular and multi-ethnic country like India shows just how important it is to keep ethnic and religious hatred in check.
Considering how racially diverse Punjab's population is, this whole 'sons of soil' baloney is sickening to the core and ever so disrespecting to province's rich culture and heritage. The province absorbed more racial strains than any other provinces in Pakistan (or even in whole of India one may argue). It is because of its history that Punjab stands proud of its diverse ethnic make up and inter-racial harmony. Despite the gross mismanagement, its population enjoys the highest rate of economic, social and geographical mobility than any other provinces in Pakistan who apparently seem to have 'better' History than Punjab. Whatever on earth that really means.
The general non-existence of sons of soils versus outsiders bigotry in big province like Punjab perfectly explains why we officially have never suffered from the toxic spread of ethnic politics within the province, and this just goes on to prove why Punjab has always been a home for anyone and everyone who settled there and called it a home. Children of Punjab need to learn and appreciate this about their province - this is one of facets of teaching tolerance and humanity. The reason religious tolerance got bad because we deliberately experimented with it, and created a Frankenstein monster that we are now struggling to annihilate. In light of all that, common sense and basic human decency would suggest that issue of race and ethnicity should be not tempered with at any price. Why do you want to follow the failed practices of other provinces and divide the province's population into the 'proud and pure' sons of soil versus evil outsiders categories? This is nothing but making a mockery of Punjab's vast history.
So much for this vague and inadequately explained notion of 'struggle', more ideas and movements have blossomed in the heart of this land than anywhere else in Pakistan. Even the recent of wave of 'Azadi March' movement most perfectly complimented Punjab's long history of being independent, standing up and being ever so responsive to new ideas and change. That's Punjab's intellectual heritage! Our identities are not singular, but plural. We as people of Punjab have unique mix of overlapping identities, therefore it is essential that we understand and appreciate the subtle but every so significant multiplicity of our ethnic and cultural heritage. Starting from the start of the times to contemporary eras. No one ethnic identity or racial mix up is better than the other. We will learn our history that way it happened. We won't allow handful of fascists and racists to put the entire nation of Punjab on trial, and make us feel ashamed and apologetic over the past we had no control over.
If this whole sons of soil rubbish sells in other provinces, that's their misfortune. Why should Punjab fall for such mentality? It has been doing pretty well without being fed racial bigotry so far. Just omit the religious dogma out of texbooks, and start teaching diverse and wide range of meaningful and proper academic history, and Punjab will forever retain its whimsical glory and mighty stature.
well said. In southern Punjab along side the river Satluj, we can see sareki and punjabi culture and beautiful mixture of these two cultures. Also look at northern punjab and pothuhari culture. all these people are by no means near to sikh culture.
For religious dogma, one may argue that there are some exaggerations in history textbooks but it is also fact the muslims in India have history of making struggles for a separate identity. From the preaching of Ahmad sirhindi to shah Ismael movement and then war of 1857 and 1947. And obviously if a country is created, then it has the right to tell its children its history.
Its illogical to teach history in purely academic fashion at school levels. History as professional and academic study is available for students at inter level.
Re: End of the past?
Re: End of the past?
This one is more detailed by same author.
The Pakistan Ideology: History of a grand concoction - Blogs - DAWN.COM
Re: End of the past?
I have no point to discuss but want to highlight one thing that I said in my post earlier.
The article says, according to sindhi nationalist leader GM Syed, Raja Dahir is the hero!
lolz.
Re: End of the past?
I have no point to discuss but want to highlight one thing that I said in my post earlier. The article says, according to sindhi nationalist leader GM Syed, Raja Dahir is the hero! lolz.
so what, if you are not owning Porus and Ranjit Singh, it doesn't mean others will shun their heroes based on skewed version of religion.
Its easy to cherry pick a portion from the whole article, but you didn't see why he came up with that statement. War Mongers like Maudaudi are nobodies to define nationhood. They were only capable of excluding people from nation and labeling them non-Muslim. Pity on Mr Jinah, whose struggle and ideas were hijacked by those who called him infidel. no lols for this.
Re: End of the past?
Islam and Sikhism are two religions. Those people would have had even a cursory contact with Sikhs would know that the culture of Punjab is same no matter which religion you follow.
Re: End of the past?
so what, if you are not owning Porus and Ranjit Singh, it doesn't mean others will shun their heroes based on skewed version of religion.
Its easy to cherry pick a portion from the whole article, but you didn't see why he came up with that statement. War Mongers like Maudaudi are nobodies to define nationhood. They were only capable of excluding people from nation and labeling them non-Muslim. Pity on Mr Jinah, whose struggle and ideas were hijacked by those who called him infidel. no lols for this.
JI, JUI and Jamaat Ahraar types who were against the very concept of Pakistan are now the flag bearers of the country.
Re: End of the past?
Myths, fables and lies: The murder of history in Pakistan | Jahane Rumi
KK Aziz’s seminal study, ‘The Murder of History’ is essential to understand what went wrong in Pakistan. The most worrying sign of an insecure and fissured polity is when it reinvents, twists and lies about its history especially relating to its genesis and progress. K K Aziz was not an Indian nationalist, nor a screaming ideologue who wanted Pakistan to fritter away. In fact his early work *The Making of Pakistan *remains an essential reading on how Pakistan came into being. He believed in Pakistan despite his emotional links to the separated eastern part of the Punjab. **However, at the zenith of his career he could not conceal his deep anguish and disappointment with the way ‘History’ in his beloved country had turned into sham-narratives comprising fables, myths and outright deceit.
**
**Three brutal realities by the end of Zia era were clear: Pakistan’s military-bureaucracy complex had reinvented an ideological state based on a sectarian worldview; History was an instrument of propagating this ideology; and the jihad factories were flourishing. Jinnah’s Pakistan had been irreversibly shattered and perhaps destroyed. For K K Aziz’s generation this was nothing short of a great betrayal.
**
**Published in the early 1990s, ‘The Murder of History’ for the first time documented a meticulous analysis of the history books taught in Pakistani schools and colleges. The book revolves around the main argument that History and Pakistan Studies curricula was nothing more political propaganda aimed at indoctrinating young minds through half-truths and blatant falsehoods.**In this study, Aziz scrutinized over 65 textbooks, which have been promoting prejudice, xenophobia and discrimination in our young children (who have grown up now). According to the Aziz, the publication of such textbooks was the responsibility of the provincial textbook boards but the National Review Committee of the Federal Education Ministry had appropriated the role of approving the ‘ideological’ content.
Aziz starts with how the Pakistan movement is disfigured. How lies about Jinnah are perpetrated (for instance about his education, leanings etc.) and how military rule and wars are glorified that too without credible facts. The most incisive part pertains to the events of 1971. Aziz questions this obviously false account found in one of the textbooks: “In the 1971 war, the Pakistan armed forces created new records of bravery, and the Indian forces were defeated everywhere.” He further traces how the Pakistani Hindus in East Pakistan are blamed for engineering anti-Urdu demonstrations during Jinnah’s time. This movement started by ‘Hindus’ had sowed the seeds of separation of East Pakistan, if the disingenuous sham-historians of the state were to be believed. Aziz questions how the great surrender of Pakistan Army in December 1971 happened apparently when our troops were bagging so-called victories on all fronts. Furthermore, Aziz also dismisses the notion that accepting Bengali cultural values, as a part of national heritage, was some sort of a national humiliation.
**A textbook, as Aziz notes, mentions Maulana Maudoodi among the “founders of the ideology of Pakistan”, when in fact the right-wing leader bitterly opposed the creation of Pakistan
**
A textbook, as Aziz notes, even mentions Maulana Maudoodi among the “founders of the ideology of Pakistan”, when in fact the right-wing leader bitterly opposed the creation of Pakistan and called Jinnah a non-Muslim. Zia ensured that an unconstitutional overthrow of Bhutto’s government was due to an ‘un-Islamic system’. Little wonder, Al-Qaeda and its partners are busy telling us why democracy should be rejected in the Islamic Pakistan. The greatest lie as detected by Aziz’s meticulous pen relates how the arrival of Zia-ul-Haq was celebrated: “General Zia ul Haq was chosen by destiny to be the person who achieved the distinction of imposing Islamic law…. The real objective of the creation of Pakistan, and the demand of the masses, was achieved.”
Aziz also records major omissions and makes a robust effort to correct them in the later chapters. The last parts of the book analyse the impact of such chicanery on the students and on the nation at large: Assuming that three students come from one nuclear home, we have at least eight million households where these books are in daily use … Eight million homes amount to eight million parents (father plus mother), not counting other family members… In this way the nonsense written in the books is conveyed to another sixteen million persons.
After reading Murder , one is left distressed with the unethical principles that the governments and the textbook boards follow while preparing textbooks. This is not just a matter of school curricula as Aziz rather presciently argues: Some of the people bred on these books become journalists, columnists and editors of popular magazines and digests … making all possible allowances for’ the margin of duplication, we are still left with a very conservative figure of say thirty million people being told what they should not be told and hearing what they should not hear. When we recall that this group contains within itself the social and intellectual elite and the actual or potential leadership of the country, we have nothing but stark despair staring us in the face and promising rack and ruin.
The rot has already set in. Popular media and generations raised on lies are now a formidable reality of our national discourse. Sections of print media and some TV anchors churn out such half-truths on a daily basis. Above all, the youth (as noted by many surveys) are confused about their identity with an ingrained anti-India sentiment and a vague sense of Pan-Islamic identity.
A decade and a half later when Musharraf tried to reform the curricula his attempts were foiled by powerful ideologues within the Establishment and very soon he lost the will to drive this reform. When the Aga Khan Foundation took the initiative in Karachi, the Mullahs threatened and roared. The current PPP government’s education policy makes no concrete commitment to the textbooks. Aziz’s last line remains relevant: “Is anybody listening?”
Pakistan’s existential battle is inextricably linked to the poison of these textbooks. Without a concerted effort to purge our curricula of xenophobia, jingoism and Islamo-fascism, we are simply doomed. The political elites have a small window of opportunity. If they are not going to forge a consensus on textbooks’ reform, their relevance in the long term remains uncertain. This is why K K Aziz’s legacy is formidable and needs to be reiterated every now and then.
Raza Rumi is a writer and policy expert based in Lahore. He blogs at Jahane Rumi | Raza Rumi’s website. Email: [EMAIL=“[email protected]”][email protected]
Re: End of the past?
hypocrisy, thy name is Mullah 
Re: End of the past?
so what, if you are not owning Porus and Ranjit Singh, it doesn't mean others will shun their heroes based on skewed version of religion.
Its easy to cherry pick a portion from the whole article, but you didn't see why he came up with that statement. War Mongers like Maudaudi are nobodies to define nationhood. They were only capable of excluding people from nation and labeling them non-Muslim. Pity on Mr Jinah, whose struggle and ideas were hijacked by those who called him infidel. no lols for this.
JI, JUI and Jamaat Ahraar types who were against the very concept of Pakistan are now the flag bearers of the country.
What about sindhi and balochi nationalists who did not want to join pakistan? Now they want the nationhood defined through the racism of their nationalist leaders. hate would not stop with racists approaches.
Oh, now i will have to listen the rambling like, they wanted to join but establishment made then angry. lolz, if they were agreed to join pakistan then why would some one force them.
Re: End of the past?
What about sindhi and balochi nationalists who did not want to join pakistan? Now they want the nationhood defined through the racism of their nationalist leaders. hate would not stop with racists approaches. Oh, now i will have to listen the rambling like, they want to join but establishment made then angry. lolz, if they were agreed to join pakistan then why would some one force them.
I don't know of any Sindhi nationalists in 47, please guide if you have got more info. As far as balochistan is concerned, Pakistan in 47 did not include kalat. It was annexed in 48 by force, the same issue pops up very now and then.
Re: End of the past?
I don't know of any Sindhi nationalists in 47, please guide if you have got more info. As far as balochistan is concerned, Pakistan in 47 did not include kalat. It was annexed in 48 by force, the same issue pops up very now and then.
One unit policy that India will split into two units, no more units, was opposed by Sind assembly. You can get who could be behind this effort.
Re: End of the past?
The reality being Punjab was the last to opt for Pakistan. It wanted to remain semi independent and united till the fag end, this is the issue when you don't tell people the history.
Re: End of the past?
The reality being Punjab was the last to opt or Pakistan. It wanted to remain semi independent and united till the fag end, this is the issue when you don't tell people the history.
this is the answer to my reply?