“History is Not Ideology, It is Critical Investigation,” Prof. Ayesha Jalal Asserts.
The Department of History at the University of the Punjab hosted an engaging session with Prof. Ayesha Jalal, a distinguished historian and Professor of History at Tufts University, on “History as Method.” The event, held at the Department of History, drew an enthusiastic audience eager to hear from one of the most prominent voices in the field.
Prof. Jalal underscored the critical need to view history as an investigative and analytical discipline rather than as a tool for ideological propagation. She expressed concern over the dominance of ideology and propaganda in Pakistani historiography, which, according to her, has significantly shaped the narrative of the nation-state.
“History is not just about dates, names, and events,” she asserted, emphasizing the necessity of approaching it as a critical investigation. Prof. Jalal highlighted Pakistan’s multicultural and heterogeneous nature, pointing out how the perpetuation of national myths as historical facts has contributed to an existential crisis within the state.
She called for the development of alternative popular histories and a balanced national discourse to provide a more nuanced understanding of the past. Prof. Jalal also addressed the numerous challenges faced by Pakistani historians, including restrictions on access to archives and their inadequate management.
In her talk, Prof. Jalal stressed the importance of linking history with literature to make it more engaging and accessible. She lamented the decline in Urdu literacy among the youth and advocated for the revival of Persian and early modern history studies to enrich historical consciousness. According to her, fostering national consciousness requires a commitment to balanced, critical historical narratives.
The session concluded with an animated question-and-answer segment, reflecting the audience’s keen interest in the subject. Prof. Dr. Mahboob Hussain, Chairman of the Department of History, expressed gratitude to Prof. Jalal for her illuminating talk and the lively discussion that followed.
The event marked another milestone in the Department’s ongoing efforts to foster meaningful academic discourse on the critical role of history in understanding national identity and development