History Notes Chapter 3 Applied History Class 10 Maharashtra Board

3.1 What is Applied History?

Definition: Applied History, also called Public History, is the use of historical knowledge to benefit people today and in the future.

Purpose: It helps solve modern social problems and guides social planning by using lessons from the past.

Why It’s Important:

• Many think history is only for historians or students, not for practical life.
• Applied History connects people to history, making it meaningful in daily life.

Examples:

• Tourism: Visiting museums or ancient sites creates interest in history.
• Community Involvement: People can volunteer in projects to preserve historical sites in their cities or villages.

Interesting Fact:

• Many universities abroad offer courses in Public History.
• In India, Srushti Institute of Art Design and Technology in Bengaluru has a Centre for Public History that works on history-related projects.

3.2 Applied History and Research in Various Fields

Applied History helps in understanding the past to improve research and development in different fields. Here’s how it works:

Philosophy:

• Studying the history of philosophy helps understand the origin of ideas and their development.
• Knowing the history of language is useful to understand philosophical writings.

Science:

• The history of science shows the timeline of discoveries and inventions.
• It explains the reasons (like human needs or curiosity) behind scientific progress.
• Example: Understanding why certain discoveries happened helps scientists plan future research.

Technology:

• The history of technology explains changes in agriculture, manufacturing, architecture, and engineering.
• It shows how science and technology depend on each other.
• Example: From stone tools to modern machines, history helps us understand technological progress.

Industry and Commerce:

• Studying the history of trade and industry shows how markets and human relationships have changed.
• It helps understand the growth of cultural and economic systems.
• Example: Knowing past trade practices helps in modern business planning.

Management Studies:

• History helps understand production, human resources, and marketing systems of the past.
• It teaches how to manage people and resources effectively by studying past systems.
• Example: Understanding historical management practices improves modern business strategies.

Arts:

• The history of arts helps understand different art forms, their styles, and cultural roots.
• It shows how emotions and traditions shape art.
• Example: Studying the history of music or painting helps artists create meaningful work.

Humanities:

• Humanities include subjects like history, sociology, archaeology, and economics.
• Studying their history shows how these subjects evolved from philosophy and myths.
• Example: Myths about gods and the universe led to modern subjects like sociology.

3.3 Applied History and Our Present

Why Study History?

• People often question the practical use of history.
• Applied History answers this by showing how the past shapes our present and future.

Heritage and Identity:

• Historical sites, artefacts, and traditions are our heritage.
• They connect us to our ancestors and help build our identity.

Preservation:

• Applied History focuses on preserving and conserving heritage for future generations.
• It makes heritage accessible through museums, tourism, and projects.

Benefits:

• Heritage management creates jobs (e.g., guides, curators).
• It helps us understand our present and plan for a better future.

3.4 Management of Cultural and Natural Heritage

Heritage is divided into Cultural Heritage and Natural Heritage. Both need to be preserved.

(a) Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage includes human creations and is of two types:

Tangible Cultural Heritage:

• Physical objects like:
  • Ancient sites (e.g., forts, temples).
  • Artefacts, manuscripts, sculptures, paintings.
• Example: Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves.

Intangible Cultural Heritage:

• Non-physical traditions like:
  • Oral stories, traditional knowledge.
  • Festivals, rituals, performing arts (e.g., dances, music).
  • Traditional skills (e.g., crafting).
• Example: Yoga, Ramlila, Vedic Chanting.

(b) Natural Heritage

Includes nature-related elements like:

• Fauna (animals), Flora (plants).
• Ecology and geomorphic features (landforms that support biodiversity).

Example: Western Ghats, Kaziranga National Park.

World Heritage Sites:

• UNESCO declares sites and traditions as World Heritage to promote their preservation.
• Examples in India:
  • Cultural Sites: Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves, Red Fort.
  • Natural Sites: Western Ghats, Sundarbans National Park.
  • Intangible Heritage: Yoga, Kootiyattam, Kalbelia dance.

Organizations Involved:

• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and State Archaeology Departments work on conserving cultural heritage.
• INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) also helps in preservation.
• Experts from various fields (e.g., historians, architects) are needed for these projects.

How Applied History Helps:

1. Ensures heritage is preserved without changing its original form.
2. Studies local people’s needs and sentiments to avoid conflicts.
3. Involves local communities in preservation projects.
4. Creates job opportunities by using local skills.

3.5 Affiliated Professional Fields

Applied History supports careers in fields that use historical knowledge. These include:

Museums and Archives:

• Museums display artefacts; archives store old documents, films, etc.
• Example: Indian Museum, Kolkata (founded in 1814) has departments for arts, archaeology, and anthropology.
• National Archives of India (New Delhi) and National Film Archives (Pune) preserve records and films.

Preservation and Conservation:

• Involves protecting historical sites and artefacts.
• Needs experts like archaeologists and historians.

Tourism and Hospitality:

• Historical sites attract tourists, creating jobs for guides and hotel staff.
• Example: Tourists visiting Ellora Caves or Taj Mahal.

Entertainment and Mass Media:

• History is used in films, TV shows, and books to tell stories.
• Needs researchers to ensure historical accuracy.

Interesting Facts:

• The world’s earliest museum was in Ur, Mesopotamia (6th century BCE), curated by Princess Ennigaldi.
• Clay tablets in this museum had descriptions of artefacts, like modern museum labels.

Skills Needed:

• Experts like architects, historians, curators, photographers, and legal professionals are required.
• They must know the history of sites and artefacts to do their jobs well.

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