Past pursuit makes future sense

A knowledge of History not only helps to relate the past to the present but also facilitates future planning. Apart from the teaching option, those who’ve studied the past have a bright future in fields like museology, archaeology, numismatics, and designing of period costumes and jewellery, writes Inderdeep Thapar

HISTORY as a subject is often associated with a few limited career openings but this is not so. Its scope in terms of jobs has broadened over the years. Undoubtedly, it is still sought after mostly for teaching purposes, at the school and college levels, or as an optional subject for the IAS exams. But its importance is being increasingly recognised in new fields.

Research projects that are strictly historical in nature require research assistants to carry out an in-depth inquiry into the topic concerned. For this, they prefer students of history. Projects are sponsored by research bodies, universities, etc. Apart from the above there are many research projects or books which need not be historical but still require a historical perspective which only a research assistant who has majored in History is able to provide. Such projects can be studies about a particular community or tribe or even a particular place. This work is taken up by NGOs, government or even private foundations.

A rapidly developing field of media is the making of documentaries. This work is being undertaken by private individuals as well as established bodies. "Knowledge of History is particularly coming in handy as far as documentary research is concerned. Many students of our department have got attached to production houses as researchers and there are others who have ventured into making their own historical documentaries. A knowledge of History helps to connect with the present and to plan for the future," says Dr Reeta Grewal, Department of History, Panjab University.

"The need to give depth of perception and thought to a documentary is fulfilled by providing a historical background. Many production houses require researchers when they zero in on a topic for research. Not only do channels like the History channel encourage the production of documentaries, thus creating opportunities for students of History, survey houses too give preference to people who've studied this subject, " she explains.

A degree in History coupled with short vocational courses opens a lot of vistas. With the rapidly expanding tourism industry the need for professionals having a solid grounding in History is increasing. By doing courses related to the tourism industry one can take up jobs of tour consultants, guides, etc.

Similarly, after doing a short-term course of curator, a History student can work in a museum. Museums house unique, historical objects which need constant caring and curators, with their professional knowhow and background of History or History of Art, are the right candidates for these jobs.

Rare manuscripts which might fall prey to insects or time require delicate handling and technical expertise for preservation. To become a conservator one requires a professional degree in either History or History of Art. Poonam Khanna, Assistant Curator of the Chandigarh Museum, elaborates, "Experts in History are required for conservation of historical records. If records are not preserved for posterity, valuable information would be lost forever. All museums and archives require people who can preserve valuable documents. Specialised courses in this line are an asset to the students of History for getting good placements apart from enabling them to carry on personal research on these documents if they so wish."

History of Art again has a huge potential. This subject has been introduced in organisations like NIFT because of its utility, apart from being offered in colleges and universities. Costumes belonging to different periods of not only Indian History but also world History are part of the syllabi. Students specialising in this area have tremendous scope in the film industry or theatre because of their historical grounding.

Even if one wants to wield the pen, a knowledge of History of Art comes in handy. Mention must be made of leading designer Ritu Kumar's book "Costumes and Textiles of Royal India", which draws heavily on historical facts. Even those who want to specialise in jewellery designing seek inspiration from the past. A background of History gives an edge if one wants to recreate period jewellery.

The History of Art offers wide scope even in the book industry. Students of this discipline can work in publishing houses as illustrators of books. Their knowledge of History is a plus point when designing the covers of historical books.

Deepika Sharma of the College of Art, Chandigarh, informs, "A new field that is rapidly coming up is the designing of websites of rare historical paintings or sculptures etc. People who have specialised in History of Art are employed for such projects. Thus, sites prepared even by the tourism industry need a historical touch for which the experts from this field are required.

"Not only the tourism industry, but also people involved in selling rare ancient art need professionals with a knowledge of the subject. For instance, if a capsule of Raja Ravi Verma or Amrita Shergill is to be prepared, people who have a knowledge about these personalities will be better able to compile such paintings," she adds.

A person who has majored in History.of Art can take to being an art critic too. A grounding in History, especially a knowledge of terminology and art techniques — regional as well as international — helps when one has to comment on contemporary art..

Ancient Indian History too provides myriad openings, the most important being that of an archaeologist required for excavations. This is a fascinating field where one sees history being revealed in small pieces which are then collected together to give a uniform picture.

Numismatic experts contribute by giving an idea about the period, the spread of the civilisation. The study of coins also tell about a people's economy, sometimes even their religious beliefs. Students of ancient History can also work as epigraphists, experts who shed light on ancient or new scripts as well as inscriptions.

It is clear then that the scope of this subject is not confined to traditional avenues. A person armed with a degree in History has a bright future.

COURSE CHAT
"Research bodies, NGOs offer a lot of work"

PROF Indu Banga, an eminent historian of Panjab University, throws light on the future prospects of those who study the past. Excerpts from an interview:

History has expanded in scope and time. Whereas earlier it was confined only to past politics now it embraces all aspects of society. The areas which had hitherto been neglected like gender issues or subaltern classes now have historians focusing on them. As far as its scope is concerned, History has become even more substantial with the inclusion of contemporary changes. Its association with allied disciplines like Sociology, Geography, Psychology and the like have added new dimensions to its study as well as research.

A lot of new fields have opened up for History students. Museums, archives, research institutes, NGOs, documentary making are the upcoming areas and places in which the students of History are getting more opportunities to work. Besides, the teaching field offers numerous opportunities apart from History being an important subject for the civil services exam.

From the societal point of view, the avenues for History students beget a decent remuneration. However, I would like to add that if one is pursuing a line of one's choice then no material value can be attached to the fulfillment of one's interest.

What is the future of History?

The skeptical post-modernists believe that status quo is to be maintained in all spheres of human life and, therefore, there is no need to study History as it never reveals the truth completely because of insufficient sources. But I feel that though the developed countries can afford this kind of outlook, the third world countries, who have yet to reach a higher degree of civilization, cannot afford this kind of outlook. The most important thing that one has to remember is that the perspective of the future is connected with the perspective of the past. So, as long as mankind is there history is there to stay.