CBSE| HISTORY|CLASS 7| New and Old Terminologies in Historical Context

 

New and Old Terminologies in Historical Context

As times change, so do the meanings of words and the languages in which they are spoken. In the study of history, understanding terminology is crucial because words used in the past often carried very different meanings than they do today. This section of the chapter explores how language, context, and meaning evolve over time, using powerful examples to explain why historians must interpret words carefully and contextually.

Language Change Over Time

• Historical records exist in many languages like Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil, etc.

• These languages have evolved significantly — not just in grammar and vocabulary, but also in the meanings of words.

• For example, medieval Persian is very different from modern Persian.

Example 1: The Word "Hindustan"

• Today: The term "Hindustan" is often understood as India, the modern nation-state.

• 13th Century: Historian Minhaj-i-Siraj, writing in Persian, used "Hindustan" to refer only to Punjab, Haryana, and the land between the Ganga and Yamuna — the political domain of the Delhi Sultanate.

  • It had a limited political meaning, and did not include South India.

• 16th Century: Emperor Babur used "Hindustan" to describe the geography, flora, fauna, and culture of the entire Indian subcontinent — a cultural and geographical idea, not a political one.

• 14th Century: Poet Amir Khusrau used the term “Hind” similarly, referring to the people and traditions of the land.

• This shows that the idea of India did exist, but not as a nation-state. The word “Hindustan” evolved in meaning, usage, and context over time.

Example 2: The Word "Foreigner"

• Today: A foreigner is someone who is not an Indian citizen — someone from another country.

• In the Medieval Period:

  • A foreigner was simply a stranger or someone outside one’s community or village.

  • A person from a different village, forest, or even a different social group could be called a "foreigner".

  • Terms like "pardesi" (in Hindi) or "ajnabi" (in Persian) were used.

  • For example, a city dweller might see a forest dweller as a foreigner, even if both lived in the same region.

  • But two people of different castes or religions living in the same village were not seen as foreigners to each other.

Why This Matters in History

• Historians must be cautious while using or interpreting words found in old texts and documents.

• They must consider:

  • The context in which a term was used.

  • The historical and social background of that time.

  • The intent of the writer or speaker.

• This helps avoid misinterpretation and ensures a more accurate understanding of history.

Conclusion

Words change meaning over time, just like cultures and societies do. To truly understand history, it is not enough to just read the words — we must also understand their historical context. Studying old terminologies reminds us that language is not static and that historians must always think critically about the sources they use.