The decline of quality historical writing in Hindi – causes and the path to revival

History helps us understand our past, learn from it, and plan for the future. It shapes our identity and helps us connect with our roots. In India, historical research in English has grown significantly, with many historians writing books and research papers in English. However, the same cannot be said for Hindi. Despite being one of the most spoken languages in India, Hindi has not developed as a strong language for historical writing.

The main reasons for this decline include the dominance of English in education and research, lack of support from institutions, limited availability of history books in Hindi, and a small number of readers interested in academic books. The problem also has roots in India’s colonial past when historical studies were mainly done in English.

Why is historical writing in Hindi struggling?

There are many reasons why we do not see much historical writing in Hindi today. One major reason is that English dominates education and research in India. Most history books, journals, and research papers are written in English. Even Indian historians who are fluent in Hindi prefer English because it helps them gain recognition in the academic world. As a result, very few serious history books are written in Hindi.

Another reason is that many Hindi history books are just translations of English books rather than original research. This means Hindi does not have its own strong tradition of historical writing. Also, many of these translations are not accurate and fail to capture the depth of historical research.

Hindi historians also face difficulty in accessing primary sources. Many old historical documents are in English, Persian, or Sanskrit. Since these sources are not available in Hindi, historians who want to write in Hindi struggle to do original research. Without primary sources, their work becomes less valuable in academic circles.

Another issue is the lack of support from universities and research institutions. Most Indian universities promote English-language research. They offer research grants, fellowships, and publishing opportunities mainly in English. Scholars who want to write in Hindi find fewer opportunities, making them shift to English instead.

Impact of colonial history on Hindi historical writing

The problem of Hindi historical writing also goes back to British rule. During colonial times, most historical studies were done in English. British historians wrote about Indian history, often from their own point of view. Even after India gained independence, English remained the main language of research and education.

Hindi, despite being widely spoken, was not given much institutional support for serious academic work. Even today, Indian historians who know Hindi well prefer writing in English because it gives them more academic recognition. This colonial influence continues, keeping Hindi historical writing in the background.

Challenges in writing and publishing history in Hindi

One of the biggest problems is that universities and institutions do not encourage research in Hindi. Most research work is done in English, and Hindi-language research does not get the same respect. There are very few high-quality academic journals in Hindi, and scholars find it difficult to get funding for their research. This lack of support discourages young historians from writing in Hindi.

Another challenge is the limited translation of historical sources. Many important historical documents are still not available in Hindi. Historians who depend on Hindi as their main language often have to rely on English interpretations. Since they do not have access to primary sources, their research is often considered less valuable.

There is also a belief that Hindi historical writing is not as serious or rigorous as English writing. This makes scholars hesitate to write in Hindi, as they feel their work will not be taken seriously. The lack of respected Hindi-language research journals also adds to this problem.

Another challenge is that Hindi readers mostly prefer literature and politics over academic history books. Since academic books do not sell well, publishers prefer not to invest in them. As a result, there are very few quality history books available in Hindi.

Political interference is another major issue. Many Hindi history books are influenced by political ideologies rather than neutral research. This reduces their credibility, making them less respected in academic circles. In contrast, English historical writing is often seen as more balanced and objective.

How can we improve Hindi historical writing?

Despite these problems, there are ways to improve historical writing in Hindi. First, universities and research institutions need to promote Hindi as a serious academic language. They should provide research grants and fellowships for historians who write in Hindi. More academic journals in Hindi should be created, giving scholars a platform to publish their work. Universities should also encourage students to write their research papers and theses in Hindi.

Another important step is improving translations. Government and academic institutions should work on translating key historical documents into Hindi. At the same time, original Hindi historical research should also be translated into English so that it can gain wider recognition.

Publishing in Hindi should be encouraged. The government and private institutions should provide financial support to scholars who publish their work in Hindi. More efforts should be made to market history books in Hindi, making them more accessible to a broader audience. Historians writing in Hindi should also use engaging storytelling techniques so that their books appeal to both scholars and general readers.

The decline of quality historical writing in Hindi is a serious issue that needs urgent attention. While English remains dominant in research and academia, Hindi must also be recognized as a serious language for historical writing. The major challenges—lack of institutional support, limited availability of historical sources in Hindi, publishing issues, and political interference—must be addressed through combined efforts from universities, publishers, and policymakers.

If proper steps are taken to support Hindi historical writing, it can regain its importance. Improving access to primary sources, strengthening Hindi publishing, and ensuring high research standards can help build a strong historical writing tradition in Hindi. History is not just about the past; it shapes the present and future. Ensuring that Hindi history writing develops alongside English will help create a richer and more inclusive understanding of India’s past.