Rewarding careers of history

A study of history requires gathering evidence relating to a nation’s or society’s past and analysing it. Specialised areas in the study of history are archaeology, museology and archival studies And the rest, as they say, is history! But the study of history doesn’t necessarily mean researching dust-heaps of the past. The study of history equips you to carve out a rewarding career, as history shapes the political, economic and cultural life of a nation or society. “Until a few years ago history as a subject didn’t attract youngsters, except those intent upon careers in academia. But now a growing number of young people are opting for the study of this liberal arts subject which is being recognised as a useful qualification for a whole range of careers,” says Dr. Kalpana Desai, director of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghrahalaya (better known as the Prince of Wales Museum), Mumbai, one of the most well-administered museums in the country. The study of history requires gathering evidence relating to a nation’s or society’s past and analysing it. Specialised areas in the study of history are archaeology, museology and archival studies. Essentially, archaeologists attempt to understand and reconstruct the past from the study of ancient coins, weaponry, sculpture, deciphering of inscriptions etc. Museologists work in museums and much of their work is a combination of research, administration and public relations. Archivists deal with the selection, preservation, arrangement and description of documents. They assess the value and historical significance of current research papers produced by various bodies and individuals and prepare and document records for reference purposes. History study programmes at the graduate and postgraduate levels are conducted in various specialised disciplines such as ancient Indian history and culture; medieval history (Indian); modern Indian history; and Western history. Most Indian universities offer bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in history. However all specialisations are not available at all universities. Archaeology courses are offered by about 25 universities mostly at the postgraduate level. They include the universities of Calcutta, Pune, Allahabad, Gujarat, Mysore and Nagpur; Benaras Hindu University (BHU); M.S. University, Baroda; and the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi. Museology courses are conducted by University of Ajmer; Kurukshetra University; BHU; M.S. University, Baroda; Aligarh Muslim University; Osmania University, Hyderabad; Bhopal Vishwavidyalaya; Vikram University, Ujjain and National Museum, New Delhi. Archival postgrad study programmes are offered by Ajmer, Annamalai and Pondicherry universities; Gujarat Vidyapeeth and National Archives of India, New Delhi. Employment opportunities for historians are fast expanding. Generally, qualified historians tend to be employed in educational institutions or in research organisations, such as the Indian Council of Historical Research, state departments of archaeology; Archaeological Survey of India, National Archives of India, state archives and in numerous museums across the country. Salaries are on a par with UGC scales. A fresher with a Master’s starts off with Rs.13,000 per month. “In a museum which reflects the material culture of the past through its exhibits, you are surrounded by history. The study of a society’s culture reflects its thought…