Classification of History
With the advancement of human society and civilization, people have been writing
history of new more subjects. As a result, the scope of History is expanding. History
is incessantly communicating the past events to the present generation. In that case it
is difficult to classify History in different branches. In addition, people, their society,
their civilization and their life-style - all these things lie close to each other in the
subject-matter of History.
Yet, for the advantage of study, discussion and research work History can be divided
into two groups - Geographical and Thematic.
One: Geographical Aspect or Geographical History: That is to say in which context
the subject which has been included in history has been written - local, national
or international. History can again be divided into three groups for the
advantage of understanding from the perspective of geographical situation, such
as Local/ Zonal History; National History; and International History.
Two: Thematic History: Thematic History refers to the history which is written based
on a particular subject. The thematic scope of History is wide-ranging. Yet, it
can be generally divided into five parts, such as Political History; Social
History; Economic History; Cultural History; and Diplomatic and Current/
Contemporary History.
Theme of History
History is the evidence and written document of chronological changes of people,
their society and their civilization. Of modern historians Vico thinks about the theme
of History in the way that human society and the origin and the growth of
humanitarian institutions are the theme of history.
Therefore, it is seen that all the important achievements that have been able to
contribute to the development and progress of human society and civilization are all
subjects included in History. Such as: art, literature and culture, philosophy, sculpture,
politics, warfare, religion, laws etc. which as a whole have influenced directly or
indirectly society and civilization are all focus of History.
Nature of History
History is different from other subjects. Its formation and presentation methodology
are also different from other branches of knowledge. Our conception will be clear if
we discuss features and nature of History.
First: History tends to the past. This subject deals with the flow of events of the past.
It is the trait of History which is to reconstruct the past through authentic information.
Second: The theme of History is man, his society and his civilization. The focus of
History is the sequential description of chronological progress of human society and
civilization. This information must be based on authentic sources.
Third: There is no place of emotion and exaggeration in History. The characteristic of
History is to uphold to the next generation a perfect account of events that had taken place.
Fourth: History never stops; it is ever-flowing for which it is difficult to use years
and dates in dividing time. Again, the trends of changes did not take place in all
countries at the same time.
Fifth: Factuality and neutrality are the characteristics of History. But, observation
skill and outlook vary from person to person. For this reason, the description /
narration of the same event varies from historian to historian. If the presentation of
the narration of an event is not neutral, it cannot be deserved History.
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