In search of an adequate interpretation of Indian agricultural history
2003
Jackson,M.G. Uttarakhand Environmental EducationCentre, JakhanDevi,Mall Road, Almora (India))
Historical interpretation is a subjective undertaking.Each interpreter presupposes a particular theory of history, even when heorshe doesnot articulateitclearly.Asurvey of the literature on Indian agricultural history reveals that investigators interpret the available data in a variety of mutually contradictory ways. This paper describes the various theories implied by these interpretations and explorestheir implications. Each of them is examinedfor its usefulness in helping usto understand ancient agricultural systems. The predominant theory in use at present derives from the materialist worldview of mainstream global culture. This theory views the course of history in terms of progress from primitive beginnings to the advanced concepts and techniques of today. Other theories now appearing reject this assumption.One of them insistson understanding ancient knowledge systems in their own terms, while another emphasizes the need to reconnect creatively with our past, but neither of them is sufficient in the ecological or post-modern worldview. This theory it is urgued, makes possible an interpretation ofIndian agricultural history truly adequate to ourtask of learning from the past to meet successfully the challenge of making agriculture sustainable in the future.
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