Ways of Understanding the Human Past: Mythic, Epic, Scientific and Historic (PHISPC Monograph Series on History of Science, Philosophy & Culture in Indian Civilization Part 12)

This book argues that the modern scientific concept of history, though has its undeniable importance, should not be understood in a dehistorised manner. The modern concept of Indian history should not be confused with the ancient or even the medieval concepts like purana, puravrtta, itihasa and upakhyana. An attempt has been made to show how literature in its wider sense, comprising epoch-bound beliefs, myths, customs, conventions, social movements and other forms of culture enter into historical narrative. The author argues that history embodies a sort of inter-epochal dialogue (samtap) which, like different forms of science and arts, are endlessly updatable.