The Politics of the Past: Interrogating Bias in Historical Narratives
M. Gopi
Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of History, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, India
R. Murugan
Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of History, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, India
This article critically examines how historical narratives are shaped by ideological, political, religious, nationalist, colonial, and gender-based biases. Far from being objective records, historical accounts often reflect the priorities and perspectives of dominant groups, marginalising subaltern voices and distorting collective memory. The study explores the evolution of these biases from ancient religious and royal chronicles to modern nationalist and colonial historiography. It also highlights how feminist, subaltern, postcolonial, and critical race theories have challenged dominant historical paradigms. Contemporary efforts to mitigate bias—such as decolonising curricula, promoting inclusive histories, and leveraging digital tools—are discussed in depth. However, these initiatives face resistance, structural limitations, and the risk of forming new orthodoxies. The article argues for a reflexive, pluralistic, and ethically engaged historiography that embraces complexity, promotes justice, and fosters democratic dialogue. History, it contends, must remain a contested space where diverse voices continually reframe the past to build a more inclusive future.
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