This document discusses the nature and approaches of history. It defines history as the study of past events and human progress according to different historians. It outlines important types of history like political, social, economic, and legal history. It also discusses theories of history such as teleological, cyclic, and Marxist theories. The document then covers the different approaches to studying history, from theological to postmodernist approaches. It notes historians have shifted to more secular, analytical studies of history over time.

1. UNDERSTANDING HISTORY
WHAT IS HISTORY ?
NATURE OF HISTORY
IMPORTANT KINDS OF HISTORY
REELATION OF HISTORY WITH OTHER
SOCIAL SCIENCES
THEORIES OF HISTORY
APPROACHES OF HISTORY
DIVISONS OF HISTORY
HISTORIANS THROUGH AGES

2. WHAT IS HISTORY ? - 1
The Meaning of History
Henry Jonson – “ History in broadest
sense is every thing whatever
happened
E. H. Carr – “ history is unending dialog
between present and past ”
Lord Action – “ History is the unfolding
story of human Freedom ”
Reiner – “ History is nothing but the
story of man living in society ”
Carlyle – “ History is nothing but
biographies of great men ”

3. WHAT IS HISTORY – 2
Seeley - “ History is past politics and
present politics is future History ”
B. Sheikh Ali – “ History is the
yardstick to measure human progress
”
Nevins – “ History is the bridge
connected with past and present and
pointing the path of future ”
Karl Marx – “ History is nothing but
class struggle ”
ETC.

4. IMPORTANT KINDS OF HISTORY - 1
Political History – “Since the earliest period,
political history has been the most favorite
kind of history ”
Social History – “ Social history includes
mainly the social life of people viz. religion,
morals, food, dress, and culture etc.”
Military History – “ Military history is also
closely related to the political history.
Historians made a detailed study of the
causes of war, strategy of war , military
organization etc. ”
Economic History – “ Economic history is
the story of various ways which man has
obtained a living.”

5. IMPORTANT KINDS OF HISTORY -
2
Legal History – “ Legal history is developed
in the present age. The historians tried to
under stand legal development and legal
institutions.”
Universal History – “ Universal history is the
modern branch of history. It deals in
international events and adopts a world
view point.”
Diplomatic History – “ Diplomatic history is
known as branch of political history. Each
state has diplomatic relation with other
states and study of these relations with
various states are known as diplomatic
history. ”

6. NATURE OF HISTORY- 1
Earlier history was considered only
the record of the past events but at
present it is studied with critical
approach and scientific manner.
Before 19th
century there were many
historians who recorded events.
Among them Herodotus, Polybius,
Livy, Ibn-Khaldun etc.

7. NATURE OF HISTORY – 2
“ HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF ”
The historians who believe this idea, argue
that human mind is alike all over the world
and forces that influence the events are also
alike.
But some historians are not believe this
theory. They point out that, ‘ the basic
nature of history is constant change. The
historical events are not uniform.’ Trevelyan
says that , ‘ history repeats itself and also
that history never repeats itself fully . ’

8. NATURE OF HISTORY – 3
“ CYCLIC NATURE OF HISTORY ”
Historians believe that the history
moves in a circle. Every event has a
starting point, a climax a after that
downfall. This process begins again
and again. They hold that rise and fall
of civilizations and dynasties confirm
this nature of history.

9. NATURE OF HISTORY - 4
“ UNENDING DIALOGUE ”
E. H. Carr have held the idea of
unending dialogue. According to him
history is unending dialogue between
the present and the past. … present
generation can understand past
generations in terms of their own
experiences.

10. THEORIES OF HISTORY - 1
Teleological theories – Christianity regarded history as a
drama. Christen believers had deep faith in this idea. That,
will of God is responsible for every event and rise and fall
of empires and culture happened because of his will. So
who support this theory, have faith in luck, chance and
super natural things.
Cyclic Theories – Cyclic theory of history means historical
movements happened as cyclic. Vico the Italian thinker
support this theory and considered historical movements
as cyclic. He argued that it has four phases, Age of God,
the age of hero , the age of men, and age of new
barbarians.

11. THEORIES OF HISTORY - 2
Cause on Theory – The historians in te beginning
did not think about the cause of events. They only
described the course of events. … At present the
historians are providing more importance to the
causes of the events.
There are many theories of cause on and each
theory seems reasonable. Those are ---
1- Divine plan – The followers of this theory
believe that fate s man moving force in history. …
All they believe that great men like Kings, heroes,
priests and elite of the society.

12. THEORIES OF HISTORY - 3
I- They play a great role in several happenings but
there are many events which happened due to
God’s will. 2 – Rationalist Theory –In the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries rationalism
grew in the society. Several thinkers abandoned
the Divine force in the happening of events. They
declined to the insolvent of God in human
development. They paid heir attention on human
beings and provided greater emphasis on the role
of man. 3- Nationalist Theory – With the beginning
of the nineteenth centuries another important
approach was adopted, that was nationalism.

13. THEIRIES OF HISTORY - 4
4- Marxian Theory – this theory was adopted by
Karl Marx who presented a materialistic
interpretation of historical happenings. His
theories influenced the whole world. He argues
that the existing struggle is only class struggle and
a few powerful persons dominate all other
classes. 5 – Post Modernist Theory of
History - Theory of history is not static but it is
moving. In the post modernist period the nature
of history changed and it developed a scientific
view in place of subjective. Modern historians like
Wells, Spangler and Toynbee being motivated by

14. APPROACHES OF HISTORY -1
THEOLOGICAL ATTITUDE OF HISTORY –
In the beginning people adopted theological approach of
history. History writing was greatly influenced by religion
of writer.
According to Parsi religious concept, there is constant
conflict between truth and false and the victory of truth is
main aim of history.
In the Jewish concept of history is not manly but Godly.
In Christen mythology the will of god of considered
supreme and it is believed that all the activities in the
world take place because of his will.

15. APPROACHES OF HISTORY - 2
ORIENTALIST ATTITUDE OF HISTORY
After the decline of the theological approach of
history some new concepts emerged which
influenced the society and man to a great extent.
The ancient Indian history writing was based on the
Vedas, the Puranas, inscriptions and folklores which
affected their very much. There history writing is
based on the principle of universal brotherhood and
sovereignty.

16. APPROACHES OF HISTORY -3
MARXIST ATTITUDE OF HISTORY
Historical interpitation of Karl Marx is known as
Marxist approach to history. According to Karl
Marx economy is also responsible for friendly and
inimical relations between the two nations.
IMPERIALISTIC APPROACH OF HISTORY
In the 19 th century on account of the tendency of
establishing economic and political supremacy
over the developing courtiers by the developed
nations, gave rise to the imperialistic attitude of
history.

17. APPROACHES OF HISTORY - 4
NATIONALIST ATTTUDE OF HISTORY
The feeling of nationalism was given great
importance during 19th
century. From past to the
present day the feeling of nationalism is always
found in history. Early its nature was not so
militant as it is seen in the present time.
POST MODERNIST ATTITUDE OF HISTORY
The nature of post Modernist history can be
completely scientific and analytical. At present
history is accepted as a secular and impartial
subject and the feeling of bias has been completely

18. APPROCHES OF HISTORY- 5
SUBALTERN SCHOOL OF HISTORY
In this approach the historians who took initiative
are Sumit Sarkar, R. P. Datt, Ranjeet Guha, Shahid
Amin, David Hardman, Gyan Pandye etc. These
writers with the above assumptions started the
study of condition of Indian people under British
rule. The main emphasis of Subaltern historians
was upon Indian national Movement but focus is
shifted towards lower segment of the society. They
studded the Indian masses and their feelings
against British government by imposing blame
upon the Nationalist heros.

19. Dr. SOPAN SHENDE
Associate. Professor And Head
Dept. Of History,
SIR PARASHURAMBHAU COLLEGE,
PUNE

20. THANK YOU