Do it yourself

Not long ago, history used to be mostly an academic subject. The educated elite wrote, studied, analyzed, discussed, debated, formed, and altered history as per the available scientific evidence, their perceptions and affiliations. Their perceptions were perhaps deeply influenced by the political narrative and economic concerns of the times. The common people were however mostly concerned with their cultural traditions. These traditions passed through generations, have been generally regarded as history. Popular literature and other art forms, e.g. films, theater, drama, paintings, etc. also had significant influence on the common peoples' perception about history. For common people, the valor of Rajput Kings like Prithviraj Chauhan, Maharana Pratap etc., and sacrifice of queen Padmavati are established through ballads written by poets like Chand Bardai (Prithviraj Raso) and Malik Muhammad Jayasi (Padmavat). Disregarding what academic historians had to say about these legends, peop...

Once there was a tyrant feudal lord. He would oppress his subjects using all the means within his power. He would often torture them; force them serve to his cause; plunder their assets; abuse their women and children; violate their traditions and culture and exploit their lands to his benefit. Once he learnt that one of the traders in his village posses large amount of gold and precious stones. He immediately summoned the trader to his palace and ordered him to surrender all his wealth to his Lordship. The trader refused to obey the orders arguing that the wealth is the reward of the hard work done by him and his ancestors, and only his children have the right to own it. The Lord got furious and ordered his muscleman to beat the trader black & blue and lock him in the basement. The musclemen would beat the trader everyday but he would not tell them where his treasure is hidden. To make sure that the trader does not die before disclosing the location of his treasure, the Lord's...