Empires and Kingdoms 6th to 10th Centuries — Question 5

Kalhana believed that a historian should be truthful and fair, and rely on reliable sources rather than imagination or praise. He carefully examined earlier writings, inscriptions, temple records, and grants to correct mistakes and connect events accurately. He also felt that history should teach moral lessons, showing how just rulers prosper while cruel rulers and their families perish. (b) What do these lines reveal about his method of gathering information? In what ways does it resemble or differ from the way history is currently written? Answer: These lines show that Kalhana gathered information by consulting earlier written works, inscriptions, temple records, royal grants, and historical accounts of kings, and then comparing them to remove errors. His method is similar to modern history because historians today also use reliable sources, evidence, and cross-check information. However, it differs because Kalhana sometimes included moral judgements and stories of rulers to teach lessons, while modern historians focus more on factual accuracy, analysis, and avoiding personal bias. (c) Kalhana also writes, “That nobleminded poet is alone worthy of praise whose words, like that of a judge, remain free from love or hatred in relating the facts of the past.” What does he mean by ‘free from love or hatred’? How would meeting this condition make a historian more reliable? Answer: By saying a historian should be “free from love or hatred,” Kalhana means that they should not favour or dislike any ruler, dynasty, or event while writing history. They must avoid personal emotions, bias, or loyalty that could influence their judgement. When a historian meets this condition, they present facts fairly and truthfully, rather than exaggerating the achievements of some or hiding the faults of others. This makes their work more reliable because readers can trust that the information is based on evidence, not personal feelings.