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International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology (IJARSCT)
Volume 2, Issue 2, February 2021
Impact Factor: 4.819
Indian Histriography-Vedic and Puranic Perceptions
Sumer Khajuria
Advocate
Abstract: Etymology attested to by Panini indicates. “Itihasa” to mean “Thus indeed in this
tradition”. Chankya’s Artshastra defines “Itihasa” as Purana (the chronicles of ancients); Itivarta
(history), Akhyayika (tales), Udhaaharana (Illustrative stories), Dharma Shastra (the canon of
righteous conduct) are known by history, (comprise corpus of Itihasa).1 According to Mahabharata
which itself considered to be Itihasa, a knowledge of Itihasa and Purana is essential to the proper
understanding the veda.2 Thus Mahabarta and Manu-Samhita states “One should compliment one’s
understanding of the Vedas with the of Itihasa and Puranas likewise Puran as are called by that name
because they are complete.
I. INTRODUCTION
It is an endeavour in writing the history especially writing of such history based on the critical examination of
sources, by selection of particular details from the authentic materials in these sources and the sysnthesis of those
details into a narrative that stands in the test of critical examination. The term hisrorigraphy also refers to the theory and
history of history writing. Webster’s Encyclopedic unbrideged Dictionary of the English Language defines
“Historiography” as the body of literature dealing with historical matters; histories collectively, the body of techniques,
Theories and principles of historical scholarship; the narrative presentation of history based on a critical examination,
evaluation and selection of material from primary, secondary sources and subject to scholarly criteria3. Thus in short
the Historiography refers to the studies, sources, critical methods and interpretations used by scholors to develop a
History of India.
Historiography is important for a wide range of reasons. First it helps us to understand, why historical events have
been interpreted so differently over time, just as critically. Historiography let us study history with critical eye. It helps
us to understand what biases may have shaped the historical record.
Modern historians aim to reconstruct record of human activities and to achieve a more profound understanding of
them. The conception of their task is quite recent dating from development in the late 18th and 19th centuries of
scientific history as an academic profession. It springs from an outlook which is now in human experience, the
assumption that study of history is natural, inevitable human activity. Before 18th century was never an important part
of regular education and it never claimed to provide an interpretation of human life as a whole. This larger ambition
was more appropriate to religion, philosophy and other imagionative literature.
An human cultures till stories about the past, deeds of ancestors, heroes, Gods or animals sacred to particular
peoples were chanted and memorized long before their way any writing with which to record them. Their truth was
authenticated by the very fact of their continued repetition History which may be defined as an account that purports to
be true of events and ways of thinking and feeling in some parts of human past, stems from this archetyped human
narrative activity. While sharing a common ancestry with myth, legend, epic, poetary, and noval history, has of course
diverged from these forms. Historians can say nothing about these persons or events that cannot be supported or at least
suggested by some kind of documentary evidence. Such evidence customarily takes form of something written such as
letter, a law, an administrative record or the account of some previous historian. In addition, historians some time create
their own evidence by interviewing people. In the 20th century the scope of historical evidence was greatly expanded to
include among many other things aerial photographs, the rings of trees oil coins, clothes, motion pictures and houses.
Hinduism called as vaidika, sanathana or Arsha Dharma is having its origin in the sacred Vedas, and Prasthanatraya,
vedantas/Upanishads, Dharma sutras and Bhagwadgita, Mahabharta, Ramayana, Puranas and alike. Next come the
Ithihasa-Puranas which play more important role of common man, who were deprived of celestial and golden treasure
of divine language the Sanskrit. It is told “Ithihasa – puranabhyam, vedamsamupabrihmayet”. From the Ithihasa
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ISSN (Online) 2581-9429
IJARSCT ISSN (Print) 2581-XXXX
International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology (IJARSCT)
Volume 2, Issue 2, February 2021
Impact Factor: 4.819
puranas we can imbibe vedic wisdom. Hence the sacred trio Ramayana, Bharth and Bhagvatha are also sacred and
important as the Vedas or Prasthanatraya.4
To trace the history of global appreciation, the culture, language, religions, rituals, are the basic elements of the
society in investigation and research. The Random House Dictionary defines culture as “the quality in a person or
society that arises an interest and an acquaintance with what is generally, the scholarly pursuits etc.5 The culture of the
community is the soul of the community’s dialect as the language in the most important means to help the culture to
service and grow. Prof. W.D whitney nicely records his observation to this regard “We regard any language then an
institution, one of those which in each community makes up its culture.6 The culture and civilization having a great
tradition of that community enriches its language also. Anthropologist speak of relation between language and culture,
more in accordance with reality to consider language as part of culture, language is transmitted culturally, that it is
learnt.7
“Sanskriti Sanskrit mashrita” meaning there by that our culture relating to Sanatana is based originally on Sanskrit
language, which is the ancient language of the globe relating to our culture as well as sentific means. Our all ancient
literature i.e the Vedas, brahmana, Arnayak, Puranas, UPnishadas, Dashana, Ramayana (Balmiki), Mahabharta, as well
as other our cultural related materials of ancient period including Bhagwat Gita as well as the VedViyas’s authored
Puranas are also in Sanskrit scrept.8 In the recent centuries more particularly after Mughal period, the perceptible five
main schools of historiography in study of Indian history have come to fore i.eOxford,Cambridge, Nationalists, maxists
and subaltern. The inherited anciently the common orientalist approach with its image of sensuous, inscrutiable and
wholly spiritual India has died out by unserious scholarship.9
The Cambridge school led by Anil seal, Gordon Johnson, Richard Gordon and David A wash brook down plays the
ancient Indian ideology being western bias or Eurocentrism.10 Same is the situation for the literature brought up in
Oxford.
The ancient vedic culture of Indian had remained under attacked from the Mughals from the region of Gazi sultan
Mahmood Gaznavi (998-1030) considered to be a hero of Islam by the medieval Muslim historians because of his stout
defence against central central Asian Turkish trival invaders, resulting Gazi spirit further increased during his region.11
Along Mahmood Gaznavi, one Islamic historian namely ALberuni had also accoumpanied him and took away a
considerable historical material to rewrite Indian history on Islamic culture by stating Indians had no their own history
nor they have the skill to pen down the same. To establish this context, such Islamic scholors of the time had been all
praise for Mohammad Barkhtyarkhilzi for reducing to ashes the Nalanda and Vikramshila Universities with their entire
records and treasure of literature, demolishion of number of temples of Kala Pahad etc. reducing the ancient treasure of
Ujjain Mahakal temple by Allandin , buring the historical documents and manuscriots by Arungzeb and others besides
also transporting the same to the capital of khalefa. Demolition of Takshila the bigeest University of the world was the
greatest irreparable loss to the Indian historical scientific, cultural and medical field.
After Mughals, the English came in India in seventeenth century and there after expanded its ruling base across the
country. In early 19th century the christen missionaries from Europe started their religions peaching by composing a
Book of Preaching titled “A Proposal for Estanlishing a protestant mission in Bengal and Bihar” Earlier also in 1792
A.D a religions book of 116 pages was composed by the Britishers, there by pressing for conversion of Hindus to the
Christianity being imperative to keep Indian Hindus in their commercial fold. The Indian religious life and culture was
voceferously attacked by asking for the provision of Christianity in the charter Act of 179312, besides in the charter Act
of British Parliament 1813 AD, the member of its Parliament Wilchor Force had termed the Indian religion to be wild
and in human13. In charter Act of 1813, the British officers under section 23 were authorized to preach Christianity. To
pendown the Indian history, Asiatic society was founded in London, and under the president ship of strong field it was
pressed for that the origin of Aryans was middle Asia, where form their onset migrated to Europe and by defeating the
tribal of Europe established their right over the European lands. The second sect went over to Iran, Iraq and other
middle east and established their rule. The third sect by crossing over the chat Pommarmountaneous range arrived in
Punja region of India, the starting point of Ariyaism in India. According to European historian, this all had happened
about 3500 years back. According to this history, all whether Ariyans or the christens or the Mohammad all were
Copyright to IJARCST DOI: 10.48175/IJARSCT-794 101
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ISSN (Online) 2581-9429
IJARSCT ISSN (Print) 2581-XXXX
International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology (IJARSCT)
Volume 2, Issue 2, February 2021
Impact Factor: 4.819
foreign to India. According to this theory, before 3500 years there was nothing of sort of religion, culture or language
on this land of India. To give this ideology a firm shape the Britishers gave birth to a political outfit named as Indian
National Congress the brain behind was the English Allan Octavian Hume. The first session of congress was held in
Bombay in 188514. The very object of establishing this political outfit was to divert the Indian faith form the origin of
its religions literature i.e Vedas, Puranas, Upnishadasm towards, the western culture on the ideology of Hindu, Mulsim
and Christans as the three sister communities, by establishing new nation which was being called “Nation in the process
of formation”. The consequence there of was though the slogan of building new nation could not be translated to truth
rather India was subjected to two nation theory on 15th August 1947 purely on religion base under the Indian
independence Act 1947.15 The distortions of English about Indians were that India never remained an sovereign nation
except sub continent , therefore there are different creeds and nations, because of warm temperature. the Indians are
complacent and lazy, being unskilled to write literature, they have no history or literature of Vedas, Puranas, Shruties,
Upnayasesetc are absed on mythes by terming Hindus to be communal being root cause of Universal disurbacnes.
The course of study ehat so ever being taught in the present educational institutions based on the williom Jones
creations. The validity of the history is being takenfrom the Alexander’s conquess in 327 BC. After Independence Pt.
Nehru adopted the Marxist theory of socialism. The guide lines for writing text books for course of study under
NCERT has remained an focal points (1) India has composite culture (2) Role of Shivaji must be ignored (3)
Aurangzeb’s role must be displayed as reconstruction of Hindu temples, despite far away from truth, (4) RanaPartap,
Guru Govind Singh and Shivaji were misled persons (5) Akbar stood for unity of India to which Ram Partap opposed
(6) Sikh Gurus were not patriots and the protcters of Hindu religion (7) Ariyans were non-vegiterians (8) Aryans were
foreigners and had entered India on war mission.
II. THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORIOGRAPHY UNDER INDIAN CONTEMPLATIONS
The author of vedvayasji has described history or Itihas as fifth veda “Itihas Puranam Panchamo Veda”. It is also
said that Every historical personality should be based on veda’s conception. The scholordhip of ancient India was based
on the literary knowledge. In srimad Bhagwat Purana at the end it is also spelled out by Sri Sukhdevji to Maharaja
Prikhshit that he has narrated the history of the universe since the time of Savaiambhu involving a period of 195 crore
years. A tall personalities and great scholors had taken birth on this holy land who have left behind their memories
about their nobal qualities, i.e intellect, fame and glow.
It was very essential for every ruler to be well conversent with the historical facts of the past, religious rituals i.e.
cultural social and religions. A ruler must have very learned persons, scholors and religions preachers to guide and
pendown the true history for future generations based on the experiences gained.
The archaeological study, the legendary and ballads not to speak of even the Mahabharat the eneyclopedia of all
ancient historical incidents since creature of the universe, Vedas, Manusmrities, Brahman, Arnayak, Puranuprishad,
Darshan, Ramayan, apart from our inherited literature mostly penned down in Sanskrit, a language being vadilc,
cultural and scientific one. Mahabharat suggests that Himalya is the most sacred chain of peaks of the universe , which
contains Sumeru Mountian having circumference of five yajana and half yojana width where from the man first of all
appeared with the creature of the universe. Manusmrity further suggests that the area which is surrounded by oceans an
east and western direction and is situated in the centre of the mountains and is located between saraswati and
Drishdhvati (Iravati) that area is called Arya varrat.16The creation of this universe according to vedic literature is said is
said to have taken place on the “SukalPartipada” of Chaitra month by Lord Brahma at dawn hours of Sunday where
from astrologically, the day like Sunday, Monday, etc. month chattra, Baisakha etc. with creature year 197 crores 29
Lakh, 49 thousands and 115 had taken place with the birth man of this universe. That is why the 1stNavratra
(vasanticNavatra) when the first day of Sanatna is considered under Santana or vedic Dharma faith.
Our knowledge of Aryan culture in India, well before 2000 B.C is based on Vedas especially on Rig Veda thus this
period is called Rig veda. The Rig vedic religion is naturalistic. Aryan worshipped natural powers is not because of fear
but for gaining their benefits for human being by protecting the nature, environment. The Aryan religion was also being
known as Vaidic, Vedism, or new Hinduism. The essential features of Vedic religion is the worship of nature called the
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ISSN (Online) 2581-9429
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International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology (IJARSCT)
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Impact Factor: 4.819
Devas and conceived as immoral. The vedic Gods have the character of glorifies human being, being mighty and
bestowers of prosperity by conquering the demons of darkness. They are the friends of the sacrificers but angry with
niggard. The Aryans worshipped all the vedic deities because of their natural powers, personal profits and for the
protection of the environment. (1) Prithvi, the Goddess of earth, because the creatures were depending on her for food
fuel etc. (2) Agni being God of fire, God of light was well as the month of all gods and regarded to his highest esteem
because no sacrifice or yagna could be performed without his grace (3) Some being god of plants and its juice called
Amrita having medicinal values (4) Rivers being also called Jal Devta. Aryans considered Sindhu as extra ordinary
river been called as Lord and leader of flood, because having been worshipped by Ganga, Yammuna and Prushani(5)
Indira being God of Rains (6) Vayu being God of wind (7) Varuna being upholder natural order (8) Surya being source
of energy considering him God of Energy and God of Light besides Destroyer of all sins and darkness (9) Pusana the
Lord of jungles (10) Dyas the father of heaven (11) Usha the Goddess of dawn (12) Aditi the mother of surya (sun) and
Goddess of Rigveda (13) Ratri a spirit of might besides Argnyami as the Goddess of forest.
III. CONCLUSION
It hight time to realize the universal truth that the true concept of Manusmriti having been composed at the creation
of the universe “Let all other people of the earth Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, Dasyas and Malechhas,
learn arts and sciences suitable to them from the learned people born in this country called to be India be unfolded
before the public at large by wiping out the distortions and the people of disgruntled mind set playing mischiefs for
their self ends. The perusal of the Mahabharta proves that Aryans were the sovereign rulers of the earth till coronation
of Emperor Yudhistra and the great war of Mabharta for we read there from that Bhagadatta of china, Babruvahan of
America Vidalaka17 of Europe, the ruler of Greece, King shalya of Persia and various rulers came as ordered to take
part in the coronation of EuperorYudhistra.
In fact and edeavour in true spirit to push forward the historiography is the need of hour to study in depth our all
vedic and Puranic literature so available with due coincidence with archaeological substances so derived and legendary
and ballads so inherented from ancestors for unknown durations, as well as the cultural rituals as whole, to rewrite the
true history based on true facts so arrived at with due caution and care that the misconception and distortions so crept
that the misconception and distortions so crept are expunged to create a literature, being future tourch bearer of
incoming generations while setting the wrong records rights.
About 1500 years ago, shankaracharya, a Brahmin of Dravid (South India) had studied Grammer and all other
shastras, boks on logic, philosophy, Metaphysics Theology etc during student life and while observing the religions
degradation in this country began to soliloquise thus what a pity. The true theistic vedic religion has disappeared, whilst
other new religion crept has prevailed to the great detriment of the people. This must be put down, Shankra-charya had
not read the shastras but also the jainscreptures. He was powerful debater. Then he began to think as to what was the
best method of overcoming the grown religions problem. At last he came to the conclusion that preaching and holding
discussion constructively with the Preachers of new religions were the best method.18
Shankra’s disciples then began to teach his commentary on the vedantshastra called Shankar Bhashya and other
books that been written by him. In other words they began to preach what had been professed by Shankar with a view
to refute the misconceptions so created very successufully, viz Brahma (God) was the true reality, the universe was an
illusion and the human soul and God are one. There started monasteries, Shringeri in the South, Bhugovardhan in the
east and just in the north and Sarda at Dwarka in the west began.
From the deep and intimate study of history of our nation both from the experience and acadmic sources, it makes us
to endure that the real strength of Bharat laying in its spirituality culture and Dhama, which can overcome all the
vicissitudes of history by relying on these factors. Both spirituality culture and Dharma are responsible for making
history of Bharat as well as for shaping her socio-economic evolution. It was the Shradha of Bharat inmates which
made her capable for reaching the mounting achievements and success across the world. It is further perceptible
conclusion that our Indian nation had produced an unbroken succession of saints and sages well known in our tradition
as “Rishis” Rishis were the people, wholly devoted to the acquisition and dissemination of Knoweldge besides the
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ISSN (Online) 2581-9429
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International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology (IJARSCT)
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Impact Factor: 4.819
propagation in the society, thus being revered as the custodians of the norms, values and virtues of our social and
collective life. They coveted neigther power nor wealth but scrupulously distanced from both. This is why the Kings as
well the rulers used to pay respect to them and taking instructions and guidance from them, not only in spiritual matters
but also in mundance matters. Being absolutely unselfish, the Rishis could be trusted for rightful guidance at the
relevant time of prime importance. Whenever there had been an internal decay of Dharma within the society, these
Rishis always came forward to re-interpret Sanatana Dharma and propagated suitable value systems and patterns of
behavior keeping the living touch with the roots of our culture intact. Whenever the society was faced with foreign
aggression or over powered by the unhealthy alien cultural influences, it was again the Rishis, who had made necessary
adjustments possible while sticking firmly to the spirituality and Dharma, being backbone of our society, which has to
be maintained future also.
Regarding conversion, the perceptible belief lies that “ We Hindus believe that each individual can worship the form
of choice in his own way. All can attain him, if the effort be sincere and honest, this is why the Hinduism is not
proselytizing religion. The very idea of conversion starts with the assumption when mindset. Surface from a section of
the religious society that mine is the only sure and correct way of worship and others must be converted to it”.
Hinduism not only tolerate the other religious faith and way of worship by extending respect for them.
REFERENCES
[1]. Kantilya’sArthashastra, Book I Chapter 5.
[2]. Mahabharata, AdiParva I, 276-268.
[3]. Webster’s Encyclopedic Unbridged Dictionary of the English Language, Delux Edtion Page 907.
[4]. A synopsis of shrimatBhagwatamVol.II, Tirumala Tirupati, Devasthanams 2004 Edu. Page (iii-forward).
[5]. Random House Dictionary of English language; Jess stein Random House New York 1967, page 353.
[6]. Life and growth of language, Indian Edu. by Asian Publication services New Delhi 1977 Page 280.
[7]. Encylopadia of Britannica vol. 22 Language and culture section 581 (Language).
[8]. Sanskrit sahityakaItihas (Himachal) by Himachal Academy of Arts culture and languages Edu. 2019 Page 3.
[9]. ParkashGyan (April 1990) writing of Post Orientalist Histories of the third world 32.2 383-408.
[10]. Hostettler, N 2013. Euroceutism: A maxian critical realist critiaque. Taylor and Francis Page 33.
[11]. Satishchandra ; History of Medieval India; Page 59.
[12]. W French Hall and Anand Sharma, Religious format in modern India (New Delhi 1981) Page 13.
[13]. CH Phillips, the East India Co. 1784-1834, Manchester 1961 Page 161.
[14]. H. M. Seervai, Constitutional Lal of India, 3rd Edu., supplement Page 4.
[15]. Indian Independence Act 1947 (10&11 Goe., C. 30) dated 18th July 1947, section 1.
[16]. Manusumrity 2-22.
[17]. Called on account of his cat like eyes.
[18]. Light of Truth; Swami Daya Nand Saraswati Page 349.
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