THe Murder of History:

Description

THe Murder of History: A Critique of History Text Books Used in Pakistan” is a historiography book by a very famous Pakistani historian K.K. Aziz, first published in 1993. The book is a critique of how historical facts were manipulated or omitted to serve political, ideological, and nationalist interests in school textbooks in Pakistan.

Outline of Main Points:

Distorted Versions of History in Textbooks:

K.K. Aziz observes that history textbooks from Pakistan very frequently narrate wrong facts or grossly distorted versions of historical occurrences. The history textbooks often portray a few political leaders, narrate critical events, and support nationals who understand history in one dimension.

Fabrications about Historical Events:

The question he proceeds to ask is how some of the most pivotal events of history, for example, the Partition of India and the establishment of the state of Pakistan and some of the most pivotal actors in history, are represented. He condemns in toto the books at large for watering down or even falsifying important facts and oversimplifying intricately complex issues.
Political and Ideological Influence

Aziz maintains that the history of political regimes, after the separation of Bangladesh in 1971 and since the Islamization policy formulated under General Zia-ul-Haq, has dominated the text books. School history reflects on the ideological objectives of those in power: narrow and biased.
Impact on Students:

From this, the book argues that this distortion of history hurts the student since they are deceived and not allowed to fully understand what’s going on in history. This flawed educational system promotes a distorted national identity that leads to intolerance since history can be taught through one, sometimes misleading perspective to the young person.
Call for Reform

K.K. Aziz presents his argument about the need for revolution in the education system and most of all in the way Pakistan has been handling history. In his book, he clearly underlines the point that history instruction needs truthfulness, objectivity, and balance while training critical thinking skills in the minds of the students who are vital to know their country’s past and be able to engage effectively with it.
Themes:
Historical Fact: According to Aziz, history must be taught as per the facts and not with political or ideological motivations.
Nationalism: This book shows via what means history teaching spawns nationalism and how it builds collective identity for any nation.
Politics Supremacy: This text emphasizes the fact that history has been a tool for the powers because the use of history by ruling powers helps to sustain their authority and perception.
This work, “The Murder of History”, is a true critique of the educational scenario prevalent in Pakistan and an urgent call to alter the method of teaching history there. K.K. Aziz encourages a critical understanding of the narratives that have been offered to be accepted dogmatically by raising very pertinent questions about the manner history has been presented.