Dangers and Limitations of Marxist Historiography From A Non-Religious and An Indian Perspective

Dangers and limitations of Marxist
Historiography from a Non-Hindutva

and an Indian Non-nationalist
perspective i.e. From a purely research-
oriented perspective (and aimed at
serious Western and Indian scholars)
Sujay Rao Mandavilli
Objectives
• The objective of this deck is to show taking the Indian experience into account, the threats posed by
Marxist historians to objectivity, science, society and the education system.
• Absence of malefide intentions can be no excuse: the path to hell can be paved with good intentions.
• Hindutva “historians” are outside the purview of mainstream scholarship. The task should be to
educate them and bring them into the mainstream.
• Polarization encourages Hindutva even more, and can be no solution.
• Other scholars not swearing allegiance to the Marxist school too have failed to come up with via
media solutions.
• This study has broad implications for the rest of the world too.
• The performance of Marxist historians vis-à-vis the objectives and principles of the 21st Century
school of historiography is assessed here, though rebuttals are welcome. Time for a “God that failed:
Part two?”
Some thought-provoking quotes..
Marxist historians may be silly, limited, one-sided, flawed and lacking

elementary commonsense, but allowing religious groups to take control of
history textbooks will lead to street fights and an erosion of India’s scientific
temper – Ramachandra Guha (Quoted non-verbatim)
“Historians must guard against "saffronisation" or "crimsonisation" of history

and avoid trying to find answers to bitter controversies through a non-
objective approach, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said today.
"Saffronisation and crimsonisation are of no consequence. There should be a
continuous judgement and dispassionate pursuit of the truth," Mukherjee said
while inaugurating the 66th Indian History Congress (IHC) here.”
(Shantiniketan, West Bengal, 2006)
“Barring a few exceptions, early Indian history is still generally taught in many schools as it was
half-a-century ago. Out-of-date textbooks, sometimes factually incorrect, written in a dull and
plodding fashion, are used to smother students with boring information, chunks of which they
are made to learn by heart and reproduce in examinations. There is little attempt to convey the
idea that history is a process of gaining an understanding of the past and not a body of
information to be memorised. No attempt is made to integrate the different activities that went
into the making of the past, or to explain why there are differences in various parts of the country
and how they came about. Even the differences in the nature of the societies of early times and
of now are not discussed. The continuity between periods of time and the transmutation of ideas
and institutions are absent. Distortions are sometimes not even noticed, leave alone being
corrected. The results of modern research are not reflected because those authors of history
textbooks who are not historians seldom consult historians or their work. The writing and
prescribing of textbooks used to be a cottage industry; it has now become a factory system. One
has therefore to ask where the profits go before the mess can be cleaned up. “ – Romila Thapar
“ Casting off the legacies of colonialism opens up exciting new possibilities for the understanding
of Indian proto-history provided the constraints of the colonial period are not replaced by an
equally constraining insistence on a different ideologically driven reading of the historical
evidence, whether 'western elitist,' 'secular Marxist' or 'Hindu nationalist.' Unless attitudes to this
issue change from all sides, I foresee the perpetuation of two widening divides as the 'Indigenist'
position becomes more vociferous: one between western Indologists, and the more persistent
voices from the Hindu diaspora, and the other much more serious confrontation between 'leftist'
and 'rightist' academics in the subcontinent itself. Most unfortunate, if this trend continues, will
be that the entire field will suffer due to loss of communication between differing opinions and
points of view—the lifeblood of a progressive field of study. “ – Edwin Bryant, Rutgers University
Criticisms of Marxist Historiography
• Marxist historiography is teleological and deterministic and posits an origin in history at the start of revolution of the
proliteriat
• Marxist historiography is one-sided and polarizes (can never promote convergence of thoughts) (May have been
responsible for the rise of Hindutva) (Not a battle between science and religion, but a battle between two ideologies)
As long as Marxist historiography is dominant, parallel schools are likely to exist.
• One-sided approaches breed incompetence
• One-sided approaches do not serve the cause of science and promote healthy scholarship
• Based on Eurocentric paradigms; do not take local realities into account (Even promote racism and Eurocentrism
indirectly) Can we provocatively refer to it as the Colonial-Marxist-Imperialist school?
• Promotes ideological discrimination between religions and cultures (Eg Marxist historians in India glorify Buddhist
and Islamic periods to the detriment of others)
• Neglect study of cultures, cultural factors in shaping society, role of individuals etc
• Do not follow inter-disciplinary approaches (may well be the weakest link in the social sciences)
• Do not help scholars from allied disciplines to achieve their objectives
• Some Marxist endeavours are less scholarly and more political; breeds limited, one-sided intellectualism
• Have failed to promote national integration strategies and promote unity in diversity. Have wrongly believed that
over-centralized approach to history narration is the way forward. Nothing can be further to the truth.
• Not tied to the principles of the Sociology of science – how social sciences can be used to better society
• Riddled with contradictions – for example, Marxist historians block a study of Economic history and a study of the caste system
by suppressing certain periods in history
• Marxist historians have stated the rise and fall of kings is not important, but kings have often made history- moreover, Marxist
historians have written at length about Asoka and the Mughal Emperors
• Marxist historians have stated that no dynasties have existed in the Pre-Buddhist era but have resurrected them whenever
talking about them in a negative light –double standards and intellectual dishonesty always
• Poor integration between pre-history, proto-history and history
• Conflicts with objectivity and rationality and the pursuit of the truth
• Theoretical underdevelopment and lack of a long term strategy
• No appetite for innovation- research on novel areas like history of science and technology is lacking
• Leads to loss of control of mainstream institutions
• Cannot continue beyond a generation or two.. Gets associated with senility and old age. Even Glasnost and Perestroika cannot
save them.
• May be seen by future generations as a weird, illogical approach
• Brings science and scientific endeavor a bad name
• May bring the scholar a bad name by impacting his self-respect and dignity
• Have failed to understand Indian culture and ethos
• Base their notions on a simplistic and an obsolete idea of Hinduism as it suits them: Hinduism was shaped by many forces: Harappan,
Vedic, Dravidian as well as several lesser cultures across different parts of India. They are not uptodate with current historical models.
• Have polarized people and encouraged Hindutva even more by breeding disenchantment. Largely responsible for the Frankenstein
Monster called Hindutva. People do not get the information they require from mainstream textbooks. Hardliner dogmatists like late D N
Jha instead of modernizing the field, have polarized people more.
• If India is to be made a scientific superpower, all ideologically driven approaches must be shown the door whether it be Hindutva, Marxist
approaches, or Dravidian nationalist driven approaches
• A split up of scholarship into schools such as Hindutva, Dravidian Nationalist and Marxist is highly undesirable in this age of globalization.
• A Marxist historian ceases to exist as a multi-dimensional scholar and more as a “politician” primarily opposed to Hindutva
• Majority religions must be treated on par with minority religions for the purposes of scholarship. One cannot adopt one strategy in India
and one in Bangladesh, for example
• Marxist historian lose credibility (Cry wolf syndrome) No one believes them even when they are right
• The older Western elite and Indian Marxist historians are strange bedfellows (just as Indian and Western Hindutvavaadins are strange
bedfellows)
• Subalterrn studies and studies from below can be incorporated in any 21 st century school of historiography
Compatibility with objectives of twenty-first century historiography
S.No Objective Remarks
1 To swear allegiance to the truth at all times: intellectual honesty and One sided approaches do not breed
objectivity are of paramount importance in any endeavour, and objectivity- when has a Marxist historian ever
would be the cornerstone of any historian’s approach. talked about objectivity?
2 To strive towards accuracy and precision. One sided approaches do not lead to accuracy
and precision. They can be rigorous, but will
always remain one-sided
3 Insistence on hard or irrefutable evidence and data wherever Many Marxist historians have pursued
possible, to back up all findings. In certain cases, however, a rigorous research unlike Hindutvavaadins,
compromise is in the best interests of scholarship particularly if key though one-sided
or otherwise useful and potentially-correct information has to be
omitted due to want of irrefutable data, and if scholarship is likely to
suffer as a result. In such a case, qualifiers may be added. The
approach in this paper promotes empiricism over Historical
Materialism.
4 To work towards the greater good of society, and act in the interests of How have Marxist historians acted in public
science and strive towards the enhancement of scientific knowledge. interests? Have they ever talked about
This may be referred to the scholar’s social responsibility and he must objectivity and science? We leave it to
never waver from this principle. One example of this is that a critique of others to decide.
other scholars’ research must be done responsibly and constructively
keeping in mind the greater interests of society. Social responsibility is
therefore, a key principle of this approach.
5 To always keep stakeholder interests in mind and work towards No stakeholder-driven approaches were
furthering stakeholder interests. followed
6 To work towards a stakeholder-friendly approach to history-writing, and No stakeholder-driven approaches were

stakeholders may vary on a case to case basis. followed
7 To enable and facilitate a synthesis with various fields of science, No inter-disciplinary approaches followed.
and to follow a multi-disciplinary approach wherever possible: This Marxist historians, with their narrow focus,
should be one of the core objectives of a 21st century historian. have prevented such a thing from happening,
Inter-disciplinary approaches or IDA’s, are a key part of this and have failed to come up with inter-
approach. disciplinary models.
8 To proactively work towards solving unresolved issues in science Research is not their forte, barring research on
and history and to facilitate an environment where vexatious a few areas. They have failed to provide
problems in science and history can be solved. Wherever there are a solutions for the Aryan problem, for example,
large number of unresolved issues, it would be necessary to identify allowing Hindutva groups to capture people’s
the relative importance of the resolution of such issues to the imagination.
advancement of science for prioritization.
9 To strive towards evidence-based and objective revisionism and Obsolete historical models persist to this day
only where revision becomes necessary, and to denounce and driven by vested interests.
combat ideology-driven revisionism and revisionism driven by
vested interests.
10 To work towards elimination of narrow parochial interests and vested interests Cannot happen as long as Marxist
in scholarship. To create a spirit of bonhomie and camaraderie in research and historians are dominant .
foster better understanding between groups.
11 To work towards the creation of a peer-review mechanism in the field of Cannot happen as long as Marxist
historiography by forging healthy partnerships with other scholars. It is also historians are dominant. It is a
necessary that peer review be done as early as possible to mitigate the ill- closed group not based on the
effects of shoddy scholarship. pursuit of universal principles.
12 To work, in the longer-term towards the formalization and improvement of Outside their purview.
processes which can be adopted for various aspects of scholarship; this would
encompass various activities from the time, new evidence is discovered, a new
topic is taken up for research, or a new hypothesis is formulated, review and
examination of hypothesis, debate and dialogue until incorporation in
textbooks, including crucial checks and balances to be followed before
material enters the student’s presentation layer.
13 To constantly work towards the identification of pseudo- Done albeit in a limited fashion. Marxist historians
scientific approaches and approaches inimical to the have however rightly critiqued Hindutva approaches.
advancement of science and scholarship. To critique, without
resorting to ad hominem attacks, pseudo-scholarship of all
kinds and to work towards the quantification of bias,
prejudice, and pseudo-scientific approaches in the greater
interests of society
14 To acquire competence in all allied areas, and to be up-to- Not usually done, as they mostly failed to acquire
date with all developments in all related fields of science. competence in allied areas due to their narrow focus.
15 To create a framework where specialists such as No inter-disciplinary approaches were adopted.
anthropologists, linguists, comparative historians and other
scholars can carry out their research.
16 To work towards a situation where the distinction between No inter-disciplinary approaches were adopted.
various fields of science gets blurred.
17 To consider history as a science as work towards bridging No quest for objectivity When has a Marxist
the gap between arts and sciences in such a way that the historian ever spoken about objectivity?
distinction between arts and sciences is bridged to the
extent possible.
18 To work towards the creation of a seamless framework so One-sided approaches will ensure that this cannot
that history across regions can be studied. happen.
19 To work towards the creation of a seamless framework This can come only from objectivity and inter-
so that history across periods can be studied. disciplinary approaches
20 Globalized approach: All problems and solutions must Their contributions to this are debatable
be re-examined from an international background to
ensure scholarship is global in nature.
21 To combat alternative historiographies by rendering Marxist historians have unknowingly encouraged

them meaningless in the long run alternative historiographies like Hindutva driven
approaches by breeding popular disenchantment
among the masses
22 To constantly pursue new vistas and opportunities in No quest for innovation

history writing.
23 To guard against dogma by constantly engaging in a No quest for innovation

process of self-introspection.
24 To analyse, any new data or evidence without undue Marxist historians have languished in a rut. The
delay and use it to review and reformulate average age of a Marxist historian proves it has
hypotheses as applicable. become associated with senility and old age.
25 To never discard contradictory data that does not fit into a Have they ever adopted a balanced approach?
hypothesis. Contradictory data or evidence, on the other
hand, must be welcomed, and carefully scrutinized and
analysed, and a synthesis will always lead to a better
solution. The scholar must also guard against simplistic
solutions or solutions that do not work in the real world.
26 To guard against vindictive approaches and take what is Marxist historiography is not the only solution.
useful from other ideology-driven approaches. For e.g. Other practitioners can pursue sub-altern studies
Subaltern history from Marxist historiography. too.
27 The criticism and elimination of restrictive approaches in Only a person who intellectually superior can
other ideologies e.g. Historical Materialism to the extent criticize others.
it impedes science or scholarship.
S.N Objective Remarks

o
28 To desist from forming any pre-conceived notions about the causes and effects of Limited perspective on
events i.e. thus he must refute determinism and teleology, and any restrictive notions cause and effect; Marxist
of a covering law, and acknowledge the fact that this is one of the key differences historiography is criticized
between history and the sciences as events are often shaped by the free will of actors. vas being teleological and
This is in turn shaped by cultural and economic conditions, the quality of the education deterministic
system and government policy, among other things.
29 To look for avenues where he can impact society positively as a historian and play a Outside their purview
role in shaping the future in collaboration with other scholars: For example, an
interesting variation of DPPF techniques is to generate a list of problems in a given
region or worldwide, and then use techniques in historiography to study past events
and actions and approaches used in the past, including Deep History Analyses (DHA).
These can then be used to provide solutions for the future.
30 To understand the realities of a multi-polar world and desist from adopting Euro- Marxist historians adhere to
centric or other region-centric approach in a way that would affect his judgment or Eurocentric approaches
impartiality.
31 To encourage a critical analysis of religion and constantly re-examine the Their contributions to this are
role of religion in society; to work towards purging unhealthy aspects of debatable. In India, Historiography is
religion using a critical analysis approach, and by acknowledging that fact usually seen as a battle between two
that not all religions are the same. Criticism of ideology-driven ideologies. Their understanding of
discrimination between religions must be discouraged, and an evaluation Hinduism is based on outdated
and criticism of all ideology-driven approaches to historiography is historical models.
encouraged.
32 To constantly analyse all pseudo-historical claims made from time to time Their contributions to this are
such as the existence of Lemuria, the existence of Atlantis, claims of a arguably limited and debatable
heavier-than-air flight by Shivkar Bapuji Talpade in India in 1895, expose
fraudulent claims wherever applicable and spread scientific awareness
among the masses.
33 . To focus on the history of science both within a specific region, and across Their contributions are limited and
the world by focussing on the history of physics, chemistry, mathematics, debatable with possible exceptions
writing systems and metallurgy to name a few, and to use such study to E.g. DD Kosambi
draw inferences and directly and indirectly enhance scientific output.
34 . To participate in new areas of study such as Cliometrics which can greatly help Marxist historians have exhibited
in economic development of nations and reduce poverty and work towards little or no appetite for innovation
bridging the gap between history and economics.
35 To keep religious fanatics in check by facilitating higher Standards in education. What higher standards can they
To constantly look for innovative ways to eradicate blind faith and superstition facilitate with a one-sided
and fight pseudo-science by promoting scientific versions of history. To help approach?
combat superstition and blind faith by promoting scientific versions of history.
36 To adopt localized approaches wherever required. For example he can work Marxist historiography has been
towards better national integration and communal harmony within a region by associated with Eurocentrism
eliminating common misconceptions, or highlighting common or shared
elements of culture, or work towards better frameworks in cultural studies. This
would be a legitimate and a very noble objective of a historian, provided he
does not succumb to ahistorical or pseudo-scientific approaches, or waver from
the truth.
37 To constantly identify new research methods and new research Marxist approaches have
techniques that can be of use to other historians and to take pride in his demonstrated little or no innovation
or her avant-gardism. To work towards a transition from a scenario
where pre-defined historical methods are followed, towards a situation
where a scholar is free to define his own methods (SDM’s or scholar-
defined methodologies), provided they do not contradict standard
scientific epistemology.
38 To constantly identify new objectives that can make history writing more Marxist approaches have
purposeful, and seek new vistas in historiography. To prioritize objectives demonstrated little or no innovation
as well. In many cases, underlying problems faced by stakeholders and
discovery of new evidence could also act as triggers.
39 To play a key role in conservation and preservation of historical sites in This was done by institutions like the
collaboration with scholars in other fields such as archaeologists by ASI, but what role did historians play in
helping create awareness and through an assessment and evaluation of classifying sites?
such sites from a historical and cultural perspective
Compatibility with objectives of anthropological historiography (twenty-first
century historiography)
1 To look for ways and means to build up a scientific temper through Cannot; because they did not build seamless
the medium of Anthropological Historiography by creating a frameworks across time and space
popular awareness on various Anthropological topics especially
those that can accomplish a change in individual and societal
orientations..
2 To collaborate with psychologists and sociologists to look for ways Cannot; because they did not build seamless
and means to build up a scientific temper among students (within frameworks across time and space; no inter-
the realms of Historiography and Anthropological Historiography). disciplinary frameworks were developed
This can also be accomplished by creation of suitably designed
‘Eureka Points’ as discussed elsewhere in the paper, and indeed this
may constitute an art by itself.
3 To collaborate with educationalists to understand how suitable Outside their purview
changes can be incorporated in the school curricula for the
furtherance and fulfilment of the objectives of Anthropological
historiography both in history teaching and other subjects
4 To focus on the scientific and unbiased history of religion and use it to Known for ideologically driven
quell superstition, dogma and fanaticism (and not brush it aside as a discrimination between religions;
bagatelle) hence an unbiased and critical
analysis cannot be expected
5 To focus on the scientific and unbiased history of myths, legends and Largely not done; rationalists
folklore as applicable and use it to quell superstition, dogma and played a bigger role here
fanaticism (and not brush it aside as a bagatelle)
6 To play a role in developing Anthropological models for understanding Known for ideologically driven
religion by providing the necessary historical inputs. To work with discrimination between religions;
Anthropologists, based on past and historical data, the anticipated role hence an unbiased and critical
of religion in society, and evolve theories that will help predict and analysis cannot be expected
model future scenarios as opposed to current theories on religion such
structural, functional and psychological theories.
7 To work with sociologists and Anthropologists to Outside their purview

understand the historical basis of cultural dispositions and
propose remediation strategies accordingly.
8 To work otherwise with Anthropologists and Outside their purview

Ethnographers towards a better understanding of culture
and aiding in cultural remediation. This may be done
keeping in mind the Seven Societal orientations.
9 To work with sociologists if necessary to understand Outside their purview
other issues plaguing society and then design suitable
historiographical and anthropological frameworks. This
may be done keeping in mind the Seven Societal
orientations but also by analyzing social and locale-
specific issues to boot.
10 To identify how Anthropological historiography can be used, based on Outside their purview
historical data, and all the factors above, to create an intellectual revolution
in places where such revolutions are long overdue.
11 To contribute to a critique of all pseudo-scientific and pseudo-historical Done in a limited fashion

constructs in the interests of rationality (E.g. Pushpaka Vimana, works by
Erich von Daniken). This should be done with a fair amount of rigor, and the
reasons for their inclusion in non-science clearly explained to students,
instead of merely brushing them aside as being irrelevant or unimportant to
the course of future events.
12 To help other researchers in carrying out a logical assessment of other Done in a limited fashion
traditions and traditional sciences by providing the necessary historical
inputs. E.g. A scientific study and a critique of Ayurveda in all its dimensions
which is considered to be a proto-science rather than a fullfledged science
that has been internally and externally revalidated may be in order
13 To work towards a comprehensive history of science and scientific Not done. However, DD
endeavour and the underlying causes and common threads such that this Kosambi and others played a
can be used for further increasing the quantum of scientific output in role
future.
14 To work towards a comprehensive history of intellectualism and intellectual Marx’ analyses were one sided
awakenings with root cause analyses as applicable with inbuilt DPPF and limited
techniques.
15 To work towards cross-cultural frames of reference, cross-cultural historical Eurocentric in approach, hence
models and use them for other inter-cultural studies. Thus, the cannot be expected
Anthropological Historiographer can play a role in understanding the basis
of History in determining cultural traits, for example in different contexts,
as this can be of use in Ethnographic studies
16 To help build up awareness of other cultures and help students Eurocentric in approach, hence cannot be
understand the appreciable aspects, strengths and weaknesses of expected
other cultures. This can, likewise be used for cultural remediation.
17 To inculcate well-informed individuals and eschew bias and A man who is imperfect, cannot point
prejudice of various kinds among students and the general public. fingers at others
18 To work with psychologists and sociologists to understand what Never took the human dimension into
changes are required to society to make it progressive and consideration; humans are not money-
dynamic. This can be done through the creation of ‘Eureka points’ making machines
and ‘Mini Eureka points’ at an individual level, an aggregated
individual level (Group level) and a societal level. The
Anthropological Historian may have a small role to play here, as he
may be able to evaluate cultural backgrounds better and may be in
possession of historical data as well.
19 To work towards better integration of history and proto- Was never fully done, despite some efforts by D D
history to bring out the compass of human effort and Kosambi and others
endeavour such that other specialists may study causal
effects and relationships. This can be done by developing
suitably integrated models and frameworks.
20 To work towards better integration of proto-history and Was never fully done, despite some efforts by D D
pre-history. This can be done by developing suitably Kosambi and others
integrated models and frameworks which should be
accompanied by all the attendant benefits described above.
21 To develop suo moto, and through collaborative Marxist historians paid scant attention to the
approaches, historical models in such a way that they are of development of historical models
use to Physical Anthropologists, and those pursuing genetic
studies and studies on human migrations.
22 To develop historical models in such a way that they are of In the Indian context, Marxist historians never
use to Archaeological Anthropologists. This is necessary provided historical models, and never evinced any
because tradition has always played a key role in interest in doing so.
Archaeological Anthropology. Identification of sites for
exploration has relied on tradition, and corroboration has
been widely used for further evaluation.
23 To critique and critically evaluate erstwhile approaches to A man who is imperfect, cannot point fingers at
historiography, with a view to bringing out appreciable others
effects and studying their lacunae and limitations as well.
24 To play a role in developing Anthropological models for Marxist historians may have actually hampered a
understanding substantive economic frameworks in study of economic history by neglecting some
traditional societies by providing the necessary historical periods of Indian history (Marxist historiography in
inputs, and by developing cross-cultural frames of reference. theory encourages a study of Economic history)
25 To bridge socio cultural distances between cultures in all Eurocentric in nature; promote ideological
dimensions by promoting better cross-cultural discrimination between religions and cultures
understanding. To play a role in developing
Anthropological models for understanding kinship and
other aspects of culture in different types of societies by
providing the necessary historical inputs.
26 The Anthropological Historiographer can provide crucial Poor interdisciplinary research
historical inputs for Applied Anthropological pursuits.
27 To help integrate sub-altern studies into Anthropology in a This was their forte; but can be incorporated into
way that will aid in cultural emancipation by provide the other schools of thought, too
necessary historical information. The historian may have a
small role to play here.
28 Better integration with Linguistic Anthropology. The Anthropological No inter-disciplinary approaches

Historiographer can provide historical inputs that may be of use in were adopted.
formulating new theories and hypotheses. This can counter theories in
Linguistic Anthropology, or misconceptions such as the Divine Origin theory
of the origin of language.
29 Primatology and evolutionism may be taught to students though not Poor integration between pre-
primarily as a part of Anthropological Historiography. The Anthropological history, proto-history and history.
Historiographer may play a role in ensuring that the basics of different facets No inter-disciplinary approaches
of Anthropology are taught to students as an integral part of different were adopted
sciences.
30 The Anthropological Historiographer may work with General Anthropological Poor integration between pre-
practitioners to ensure that Anthropology is suitably integrated with relevant history, proto-history and history.
fields of study, and introduced in school curricula wherever applicable. For No inter-disciplinary approaches
example, even integration with recent advances in Astronomy may be were adopted
necessary to provide an antidote to superstition and blind faith.
31 To work towards the introduction of new-fields of study as applicable, Limited innovation

particularly those that will impact public consciousness.
32 To help General Anthropologists towards better integration of various fields of No convergence, only
Anthropology, and identifying and eliminating paradoxes of all kinds. This can polarization
again be done by identifying the historical bases and underpinnings of different
aspects of culture and society. From the point of view of the laity, the emphasis
has to be on the reduction or elimination of cognitive dissonance so that
creative thinking can be triggered.
33 To work towards the greater good of society, and act in the interests of science How can a one-sided approach
and strive towards the enhancement of scientific knowledge. This will be one of be in the common good? Marxist
the key objectives of any scholar, and any scholar would be advised to take this historians did contribute to areas
seriously. This may be referred to the scholar’s social responsibility and he must such as subaltern historiography,
never waver from this principle and adhere to it steadfastly. though
34 To enable and facilitate a synthesis with various fields of science, and Inter-disciplinary approaches were never
to follow a multidisciplinary approach wherever possible: This should adopted.
be one of the core objectives of a 21st century historian. Inter-
disciplinary approaches or IDA’s, are a key part of Twenty-first century
Historiography.
35 To proactively work towards solving unresolved issues in science and Marxist history was never research-
history and to facilitate an environment where vexatious problems in oriented, though they admittedly did
science and history can be solved. Wherever there are a large number play a limited role in research of the
of unresolved issues, it would be necessary to identify the importance caste system etc. since they have not
of the resolution of such issues to the advancement of science, and by embraced uptodate historical models,
adopting techniques such as an Opportunity Loss Approach or OLA they may have unknowingly
and Social Benefit Analysis or SBA so that a prioritization is possible. compromised research on the caste
system as well.
36 To create a framework where specialists such as anthropologists, Inter-disciplinary approaches were never
linguists, comparative historians and other scholars can carry out their adopted.
research.
S.No Objective Remark
37 To work towards a situation where the distinction between Inter-disciplinary approaches were never adopted.
various fields of science gets blurred.
38 He can then collaborate with other scholars as required. Inter-disciplinary approaches were never adopted.
These are known as Inter-disciplinary approaches or IDA’s
from the point of view of our paper. Thus, as a possible
extension of his traditional work, a historian can, based on
his knowledge and database of the past, and his ability to
carry out a root- cause analysis of events, work on building
scenarios of the future in collaboration with non-historians.
He can also partially shape it, as many concepts in this paper
are aimed at such a scenario.
39 To consider history as a science as work towards bridging the Inter-disciplinary approaches were never adopted.
gap between arts and sciences in such a way that the
distinction between arts and sciences is bridged to the
extent possible.
40 To work towards the creation of a seamless framework so This was never done, hence, hyper-nationalism
that history across regions can be studied.
41 To work towards the creation of a seamless framework so This was never done as admitted by Romila Thapar.
that history across periods can be studied. Could this be because it would conflict with their
ideology?
42 Globalized approach: All problems and solutions must be This was never done due to their Eurocentric nature
re-examined from an international background to ensure of scholarship.
scholarship is global in nature.
43 To combat alternative historiographies by rendering them meaningless in Marxist historians unknowingly

the long run. encourage alternative ideologies.
44 To look for avenues where he can impact society positively as a historian Not within their purview.
and play a role in shaping the future. For example, an interesting variation
of DPPF techniques is to generate a list of problems and then use
techniques in historiography to study past events and actions. These can
then be used to provide solutions for the future. Areas of study can include
the history of drug and substance abuse, population control, female
infanticide, an analysis of historical data in learning abilities in deprived
children etc.
45 To understand the realities of a multi-polar world and desist from adopting Marxist historiography has been
Euro-centric or other region-centric approach in a way that would affect his criticized as being Eurocentric.
judgment or impartiality. Understanding issues from the points of view of
different cultures would help a scholar broaden his horizons and act in the
greater interests of scholarship.
S.N Objective Remarks

o
46 To encourage a critical analysis of religion and constantly re-examine the Critical analysis of religion must not be
role of religion in society; to work towards purging unhealthy aspects of one-sided. For example, different religions
religion using a critical analysis approach, and by acknowledging that fact are associated with different weaknesses.
that not all religions are the same. Criticism of ideology-driven Criticize religions, but do so objectively
discrimination between religions must be discouraged, and an evaluation and without prejudice.
and criticism of all ideology-driven approaches to historiography is
encouraged.
47 To constantly analyse all pseudo-historical claims made from time to time Marxist historians like DN Jha exposed
such as the existence of Lemuria, the existence of Atlantis, claims of a Hindutva, but their endeavours were
heavier-than-air flight by Shivkar Bapuji Talpade in India in 1895, expose limited and one-sided.
fraudulent claims wherever applicable and spread scientific awareness
among the masses.
48 To focus on the history of science both within a specific region, and across Marxists historians have in general fared
the world by focussing on the history of physics, chemistry, mathematics, poorly here (Exceptions DD Kosambi)
writing systems and metallurgy to name a few, and to use such study to
draw inferences.
S.No Objective Remark
49 To keep religious fanatics in check by facilitating higher Transparent approaches can alone explain the
standards in education. To constantly look for innovative origins of religion; Marxist historians have
ways to eradicate blind faith and superstition and fight polarized views, and encouraged Hindu radicals
pseudo-science by promoting scientific versions of history. even more (They can follow their own ideology,
To help combat superstition and blind faith by promoting and so can I). Marxist historians have fared poorly
scientific versions of history. here.
Compatibility with principles of twenty-first century historiography
S.No Principle Remarks
1 Principle # 1 To champion the idea of Historiography as a Have Marxist historians really

science and further objectivity in scholarship pursued objectivity?
2 Principle # 2 Emphasize the formulation and Rarely done

enforcement of generic principles over static methods
(focus on principles such the scholars can define their
own SDM’s)
3 Principle # 3 Neo-Centrism (or Centrism) as a philosophy Outside their purview
and Neo-Centrism as a path to objectivity
4 Principle # 4 Stakeholder-focused approach Not followed
5 Principle # 5 Integration with other sciences and Not followed

structuralism
6 Principle # 6 Avoid presentism; adopt a long-term Not done; no long-term strategy

approach for the betterment of science
7 Principle # 7 Scientific method over logic and reasoning; Not followed

avoid pseudo-scientific approaches
8 Principle # 8 Objectivity and the quest for the truth; Not followed
intellectual honesty and objectivity of mind-set
9 Principle # 9 Emphasis on research and the resolution of Not the focus of their attention
unresolved issues
10 Principle # 10 Comprehensive and wide-ranging Not adopted

approaches
11 Principle # 11 Positivism and pragmatism Not their forte
12 Principle # 12 Internationalism and Collaborative Cannot happen as long as

approaches ideology rules the roost
13 Principles # 13 Focus on Cultural studies from a historical Not done

perspective as a tool of emancipation & Focus on social
betterment and cultural change (For e.g. Role of
religion) through innovative techniques
14 Principle # 14 Proactivity: Adoption of DPPF and Outside their purview
Heuristic techniques
15 Principle # 15 Avoiding intellectual aloofness and Have they understood the needs
nerdism and promoting practicalism of different societies?
16 Principle # 16 Transparency and openness – avoid Not followed

careerism as far as possible and emphasize collaboration
17 Principle # 17 Reliabilism One-sided approaches cannot be

reliable
18 Principle # 18 Scepticism to the right degree Not applicable

19 Principle # 19 Rigorous and accurate but doesn’t not Rigorous but one-sided?
emphasize too much of precision where such precision is
not warranted or possible
20 Principles # 20 Inter-disciplinary approaches Not followed
21 Principle # 21 Innovative and creative thinking Not their forte

22 Principle # 22 Coherentism Not their forte
23 Principle # 23 A layered approach to study and Outside their purview

presentation
24 Principle # 24 Use of metrics and measurements and Outside their purview

feedback-driven course corrections
25 Principle # 25 Intuition and common sense as opposed Dogma often reigns supreme
to rules of thumb
26 Principle # 26 Formulate frameworks, processes and Done albeit from a limited

methods that are attached to principles perspective
27 Principle # 27 To focus of competence and self- Their limited mindset puts paid
development to this
28 Principle # 28 Understand human and reader psychology Not their forte. Humans are not
money-making machines
29 Principle # 29 To pursue need-based revisionism Very little progress in research

wherever required
30 Principle # 30 Restrained and Responsible Nationalism Have eschewed nationalism, but

many of their approaches are
Eurocentric
31 Principle # 31 Communication of results to the Done, albeit in a one-sided way

people
32 Principle # 32 Constant evaluation and re- Not followed

evaluation of output to stated principles and
quality-peer review
33 Principle # 33 Allowing room for differences in Other schools of thought have existed in India,
opinion but there has never been any convergence of
thought
Our concluding comments
• Historiography is central to the social sciences, and is an important

connecting thread to many other fields in the social sciences; it can also play
a role in social transformation by transitioning from pre-scientific and non-
scientific views of history to scientific views of history (refer tenets and
postulates of 21st century historiography).
• Moving away from dominant Marxist approaches (and religion-inspired
fantasies) to inter-disciplinary approaches will have major benefits for
science, society and the education system. (This statement is intentionally
provocative, and is designed to draw criticism)
References
• Historiography by Objectives: A new approach for the study of history within the framework of the proposed Twenty-First
Century School of Historiography by Sujay Rao Mandavilli published in ELK Asia Pacific Journal of Social Sciences Vol 1,
Issue 2 (2015)
• Enunciating the Core principles of Twenty-first Century Historiography: Some additional extrapolations and inferences
from our studies and observations on Historiography by Sujay Rao Mandavilli published in ELK Asia Pacific Journal of Social
Science (ISSN: 2394-9392) in Volume 2, Issue 4 July to September 2016
• Introducing Anthropological Historiography as an integral component of Twenty-first Century Historiography: The role
played by Anthropological Historiography in the attainment of long-term Anthropological goals and objectives, published
in International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, February 2018, Volume 3, Issue 2 by Sujay Rao
Mandavilli
• Presenting the art and the science of Qualified Historiography: Anchoring history-writing in the event of uncertainty and
unreliability of narratives Sujay Rao Mandavilli Published directly online

Dangers and Limitations of Marxist Historiography From A Non-Religious and An Indian Perspective

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Dangers and Limitations of Marxist Historiography From A Non-Religious and An Indian Perspective

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Dangers and limitations of Marxist

Historiography from a Non-Hindutva

Marxist historians may be silly, limited, one-sided, flawed and lacking

“Historians must guard against "saffronisation" or "crimsonisation" of history

S.No Objective Remarks

6 To work towards a stakeholder-friendly approach to history-writing, and No stakeholder-driven approaches were

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

21 To combat alternative historiographies by rendering Marxist historians have unknowingly encouraged

S.No Objective Remarks

22 To constantly pursue new vistas and opportunities in No quest for innovation

23 To guard against dogma by constantly engaging in a No quest for innovation

S.No Objective Remarks

S.N Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

7 To work with sociologists and Anthropologists to Outside their purview

8 To work otherwise with Anthropologists and Outside their purview

S.No Objective Remarks

11 To contribute to a critique of all pseudo-scientific and pseudo-historical Done in a limited fashion

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

28 Better integration with Linguistic Anthropology. The Anthropological No inter-disciplinary approaches

S.No Objective Remarks

31 To work towards the introduction of new-fields of study as applicable, Limited innovation

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remark

S.No Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remarks

43 To combat alternative historiographies by rendering them meaningless in Marxist historians unknowingly

S.N Objective Remarks

S.No Objective Remark

S.No Principle Remarks

1 Principle # 1 To champion the idea of Historiography as a Have Marxist historians really

2 Principle # 2 Emphasize the formulation and Rarely done

S.No Principle Remarks

4 Principle # 4 Stakeholder-focused approach Not followed

5 Principle # 5 Integration with other sciences and Not followed

6 Principle # 6 Avoid presentism; adopt a long-term Not done; no long-term strategy

S.No Principle Remarks

7 Principle # 7 Scientific method over logic and reasoning; Not followed

S.No Principle Remarks

10 Principle # 10 Comprehensive and wide-ranging Not adopted

11 Principle # 11 Positivism and pragmatism Not their forte

12 Principle # 12 Internationalism and Collaborative Cannot happen as long as

S.No Principle Remarks

13 Principles # 13 Focus on Cultural studies from a historical Not done

S.No Principle Remarks

16 Principle # 16 Transparency and openness – avoid Not followed

17 Principle # 17 Reliabilism One-sided approaches cannot be

18 Principle # 18 Scepticism to the right degree Not applicable

S.No Principle Remarks

20 Principles # 20 Inter-disciplinary approaches Not followed

21 Principle # 21 Innovative and creative thinking Not their forte