Eminent Historians: Their Technology, Their Line, Their Fraud by Arun Shourie

Description

“Eminent Historians: Their Technology, Their Line, Their Fraud” by Arun Shourie is a controversial critique of the field of history and its practitioners in India. Published in 1998, the book challenges the work of prominent historians in India, accusing them of bias, distortion, and manipulation of historical facts for political or ideological purposes.

Shourie, a journalist, author, and former minister in the Indian government, argues that certain historians have perpetuated a distorted version of Indian history that is ideologically motivated and serves the interests of specific groups or agendas. He accuses these historians of ignoring or downplaying evidence that contradicts their preferred narratives and of promoting a narrow and partisan interpretation of Indian history.

Through detailed analysis and documentation, Shourie highlights instances of what he sees as intellectual dishonesty and academic malpractice within the field of history in India. He calls for greater intellectual rigor, objectivity, and transparency in historical scholarship and urges readers to critically evaluate the work of historians and question prevailing narratives.

“Eminent Historians” sparked widespread debate and controversy upon its release, with some praising Shourie for his bold critique of the academic establishment and others criticizing him for oversimplifying complex historical issues and targeting individual scholars. Regardless of one’s perspective, the book remains a provocative and thought-provoking exploration of the challenges and controversies surrounding the writing and interpretation of history in India.