Nations Without a Past: Role of History in Shaping Identity in South Asia
“Nations without a past are contradictions in terms. What makes a nation is the past, what justifies one nation against others is the past, and historians are the people who produce it.” (Eric J Hobsbawm in Anthropology Today, Feb., 1992, Vol. 8, No. 1, p. 3). Alluded in MP Manoj Kumar Jha’s Ideas Page article in The Indian Express on September 09, 2024)
Nations are not just countries with borders. They are groups of people brought together by a shared history, culture, and memories. As historian Eric Hobsbawm said, “Nations without a past are contradictions in terms,” meaning that a nation’s identity is deeply connected to its history. A nation’s identity is built upon its past—its culture, traditions, and historical experiences. Without a collective memory or historical background, there is nothing to unite the people of a nation or differentiate one nation from another. The past provides the foundation for national pride, values, and the sense of belonging that binds people together. Therefore, if a nation claims to exist but has no shared history, it would be a contradiction, as history is essential to the very idea of a nation. Thus, historians have an important job in creating and explaining a nation’s past. In South Asia, countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal have all been shaped by their histories, which affect how they see themselves and each other. History helps build national pride, justifies a nation’s uniqueness, and sometimes even causes conflicts. This essay explores how historians shape national stories and how certain groups, like the Madhesi people in Nepal, are left out of these stories, leading to exclusion.
The Role of History in Building Nations
History is like the backbone of a nation’s identity, showing how a nation has changed over time. Whether a nation came from a war, revolution, or colonialism, its history unites its people. In South Asia, history has played a major role, especially after colonisation ended. For example, India formed its identity through its long fight for independence from British rule. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru gave the people a shared goal: to create a new democratic and secular country.
History also helps separate one nation from another. The creation of Pakistan in 1947 is a good example. Pakistan was formed because of religious differences between Hindus and Muslims. Its leaders pointed to the unique history of Muslims in the Indian subcontinent to support the need for a separate country.
Nepal’s history is also unique because it was never colonised. This gives its people a strong sense of pride in their independence. However, Nepal’s national story mainly focuses on the history of the ruling Brahmin and Chhetri groups, leaving out other groups like the Madhesi people from the southern plains.
History as Proof of Nationhood
In South Asia, history often plays a crucial role in proving a country’s right to exist or justifying its borders. A clear example of this can be seen in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. Both nations draw on historical events to support their claims. India emphasises Kashmir’s decision to join India, while Pakistan focuses on the region’s Muslim-majority population. These different historical interpretations continue to fuel the conflict over Kashmir. Similarly, history was a driving force behind Bangladesh’s struggle for independence from Pakistan in 1971. Bangladesh’s fight was rooted in the unfair treatment by West Pakistan, which included cultural and language suppression. This historical oppression provided Bangladesh with a strong reason to break away and establish itself as a separate nation. In a comparable way, history also plays a significant part in the conflict between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. The Sinhalese often use their ancient Buddhist heritage to justify their political and cultural dominance, while the Tamils rely on their historical experiences to demand more rights and autonomy. In each of these cases, history is used to shape national identities and justify claims, often leading to conflict.
The Marginalisation of the Madhesi People in Nepal
The Madhesi people in Nepal are a clear example of how history can be used to exclude certain groups from a nation’s narrative. While the Madhesis, who live in the southern plains, share close cultural ties with India, their contributions and role in Nepal’s history are often overlooked. Instead, the national narrative tends to focus on the hill-based ethnic groups, such as the Brahmins and Chhetris, sidelining the Madhesis. As a result, the Madhesi people feel marginalised and unfairly treated. Despite making up a significant portion of the population and playing an important role in Nepal’s economy, the Madhesis are frequently absent from official historical accounts. This exclusion has had a direct impact on their rights. Historically, the Madhesis were denied full citizenship and faced discrimination in areas like land ownership and political representation. Even after Nepal transitioned to a democratic republic in 2008, the Madhesis continue their struggle for equal rights and greater representation in the government. Their fight highlights the lasting effects of being excluded from the national narrative.
Historians and National Narratives
Historians play a big role in shaping how a nation sees itself. They do more than just record events; they interpret and prioritise certain parts of history. In South Asia, historians have helped create national stories that support the identity of their nations. For example, historians in Pakistan have highlighted the distinct identity of Muslims in India, a narrative that has been passed down through generations. In India too, the rise of Hindu nationalism has led to a new way of looking at history. This version focuses on the achievements of Hindu rulers and minimises the contributions of Muslims and other minority groups. This selective version of history promotes Hindu nationalism but excludes the diversity that has shaped India’s past.
The Dangers of Changing History
This manipulation of history can have far-reaching effects, often marginalising certain communities and fuelling social tensions. For example, in India, the rewriting of history to focus on Hindu identity has marginalised the Muslim community, leading to increased communal tensions. Similarly, in Sri Lanka, the government has used historical narratives to justify the exclusion of the Tamil minority, a factor that contributed to the country’s long-standing civil conflict. The pattern of exclusion is not limited to these two nations. In Nepal, the exclusion of the Madhesi people from the national historical narrative has caused significant social unrest. The Madhesis continue to fight for recognition and equal rights, highlighting the dangerous effects of ignoring or altering the histories of marginalised groups. These examples demonstrate how the misuse of history can lead to division and conflict, showing the potential dangers of excluding others from a nation’s story.
Conclusion
The idea that “nations without a past are contradictions in terms,” especially in South Asia, clearly shows how historians play a big role in creating nationalism. Historians provide the past, which acts as the foundation for nationalist ideas. This is similar to how people use history to build a strong sense of identity, like how addicts depend on a substance. However, focusing on only parts of history can make people overlook more balanced and fair views. Nationalist movements often pick specific parts of history that support their goals, such as making the nation seem glorious, like a victim, or superior to others. This is a problem because it can lead to misunderstandings or harm when history is changed or simplified for political reasons. This raises important questions about the responsibility historians have and what can happen when their work is used in ways they didn’t intend.
In countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, history plays a crucial role in forming national identities and justifying their existence. But history is more than just a list of facts. It is shaped by historians, political leaders, teachers, and the media, who select and interpret events to fit what people want to hear today. While these stories can unite people and give them a common goal, they can also be dangerous when they leave out certain groups or focus only on parts of history that support one idea. This selective use of history can lead to exclusion and harm a nation’s unity. That is why nations need to find a balance: they must respect their past, but they also need to make sure the stories they tell include the full diversity of their people. By doing this, they can avoid the dangers of misusing history and create a more fair and balanced national identity that brings everyone together.