The study of world history helps us to know the past. We can know the contributions of our ancestors It means learning by enquiry or investigation. J.B.
, as follows: .
1. Herodotus defines history as "an enquiry into to past events". Herodotus is regarded as the "Father of history". He was a Greek historian who narrated the history of wars between the Greeks and the persians in his book 'History'.
2. The church historian, St. Augustine, defined history as "a linear movement consisting of 8 stages - 5 of the past, one that is present, and two in the future. The motive force of this movement is the will and grace of god". According to him, the earthly and heavenly cities are intermingled with each other. He gives a theologic definition of history
3. Karl Marx defines define history as "the story of class wars between the rich and the poor". He gives the economic definition of history. According to him, history reveals the constant conflict between the oppressor and the oppressed. He feels that only economic factor creates history. But this has been proved wrong on many instance. Karl marx wrote "Communist Manifesto" and "Das Capital".
4. Bury defines history as "a science, no less and no more". He means that history does the job of science, namely to enquire, to observe, to explain and to find out the truth. Thus history is a branch of knowledge that records and explains past events as steps in human progress. Everything that man has done, said and thought, his dreams and plans, make up history. History is the record of answer to the questions: 'Who' did 'What', 'When', 'Where' and 'Why'. A question frequently asked is:
What is the use of studying history ? The answer is: There are too many uses of studying world history. It is quite true that there is no immediate monetary benefit by studying history. This is true about many other subjects also. But the usefulness of any field of knowledge can never be judged on monetary basis. More than the material benefits, human values that the study of history creates is important. The study of history is useful in many ways as follows:
1. We can know the contributions of our ancestors of the past in shaping the present. We owe much to our forefathers for what we are today. By knowing our past, we can know ourselves better. When we know ourselves better we understand others also better. Thus, history teacher us the art of living together.
2. The study of world history broadens our outlook. It removes narrow minuteness, prejudices and breaks racial and national barriers. This would finally lead to a more happier and pleasant world.
3. We can learn lessons from the mistakes of the past. History is like the memory of society. A person without memory has no meaningful existence. In the same way, society without memory (that means without history) has no meaning full existence. We study about disastrous wars. We also study about the social, religious or economic conditions which led to the rise and fall of great empires or civilisations. By the study of history, we may not repeat mistakes of the past.
4. The study of world history helps us to understand the present practices, traditions, customs or elaborations. National celebrations like the Independence Day Celebration, Republic Day etc., will be meaning ful only if we know their history. Many customs and practices of today have got interesting historical background. They become meaningful only when we know how they originated.
5. The study of world history makes us noble. According to Thomas Carlyle. "history is the biography of individuals". We study about many great personailties who created history. For example, we study about great emperors like Ashoka, Samudragupta, Krishnadevaraya, Akbar, Napoleon Bonaparte; great social reformers like Basaveshwara, Swami Vivekananda, Raja Rammohan Roy. etc., great religious reformers like Goutama Buddha, Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed, etc. great freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Gandhiji, Subash Chandra Bose, Joseph Garibaldi of Italy etc. Their stories will definitely inspire us. The study of such great personalities makes us noble in thoughts and character.
6. History makes us hopeful of future. History teaches us that what was not possible yesterday, has become possible today. In the same way, what is not possible today, may be possibIe tomorrow. Thus, the study of history makes us very hopeful of future.
7. The study of history gives us entertainment. It is a very good pastime. History is full of interesting anecdotes, events and thrilling stories. Sorne events are more thrilling than imaginary stories. There are hundreds of such events in history. So studying history is very interesting.
8. We can have a comparative study of positive and negative factors of different cultures. This study helps us to judge ourselves, It broadens our outlook. It removes our narrow mindedness. Thus, the study of world history is necessary for a happy, cultured and peaceful life.
