What is History?
Historians have offered a number of definitions to understand the nature, and meaning of History. History is the collective memory of a society. As a collective memory, it may not be remembered or expressed by all in the same way. Each group may hold a certain type of memory or source that it deems important. This brings forward two important points. Who then decides what is to be remembered, and what is a source of history? History may sometimes originate from the most unexpected sources. The poem, Ozymandias (please check the wikipedia link for the poems and background), clearly illustrates this issue.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozymandias
Shelly expressed his own view after he visited the exhibition of Egyptian antiquities in British museum. However, his friend, Smith, also expressed his own view of the same image, which is slightly different. Both of their views are of course different from the museum notes about the image. Except for the basic information about the name of the person (Ozymandiaz- a shortened name of Egyptian Emperor, Rameses), and place, these poems express the views of the poets. This brings forward the four views that collide into forming the history: 1. The Original Person's view, 2. The Cultural Successors view, 3. An Outside Observer's view, 4. A Layman's view
The Original Person's view, as gleaned from the inscription is only left in fragments, although the inscription claims to have built a great city. The original person's view is always positive, idealistic and a bit publicity seeking.
The Cultural Successor's view, presents a reclaiming and re-owning the past, and lean towards idealist perspective again.
An Outside Obsever's view is represented by Shelly's poem and Smiths poem. It is also represented by the museum notes that both the poets may have used to reconstruct their views of the image. This represents the most common base of historical knowledge and works.
A Layman's View is paraphrased in Smith's poem, as that of a hunter passing by the the statue on his own expedition. This may represent a non expert view.
What is missing from above is the expert's view, in the form of historians notes. This is what is the most important part of history. A historian is expected to research and understand all the above types of view points, but record only the most objective history.
A historian is bound to experience and encounter all the above views during one's research on a subject. But the historian should always be careful to present only the most accurate and objective observations based on careful analysis of facts and figures and must not be wavered in to hasty judgement. Because, historians are charged with maintaining the most authentic account of the past to pass it on to the future generations.
1. Historians are then the keepers and maintainers of the public memory of society.
2. Historians are charged with responsibility to maintain objective and appropriate history.
This then makes it a noble profession.
Therefore, the historians must practice their profession responsibly and not let their personal views be reflected in their historical research and writing.
