In most sophisticated societies, historical study is regarded with great enthusiasm. History is widely debated, read, and questioned; in this way, the past appears as a living guide rather than an unchangeable memory. Pakistan, a South Asian country shaped by layered civilisations, postcolonial struggles, and colonial encounters, has a rich historical legacy. Sadly, we can witness a steep decline in the reading of historical books. The prescribed textbooks have historical deficiencies and do not fulfill the need for proper literary reading habits. This alarming decline is not only a matter of concern for the country and society, but it will also be reflected in intellectual incapacity. Consequently, it will lead to societal, educational, and political challenges, which the country will be obliged to address in the near future.
Reading History as a Cultural Practice
Reading historical works was once considered a wise pursuit. The reading of historical books was associated with madrassas, libraries, scholarly traditions, and literary circles. The historical accounts of K.K. Aziz, Ayesha Jalal, I.H. Qureshi, and Mubarak Ali during the colonial and post-colonial periods provide valuable insight and encourage critical engagement with the past. Previously, the analysis of history was not limited to classrooms; rather, it was part of public discussions, intellectual debates, and political consciousness. In contrast, today, history is often regarded merely as a subject to be read, rather than as a source of learning. The concern is that history enables individuals to analyse the present situation based on past experiences.
However, over time, the culture of reading history in Pakistan has become less exploratory and more instrumental. Most students worldwide focus on passing the examination rather than pursuing intellectual curiosity. As a result, not only is wisdom regarding the past diminishing, but history as a discipline is also losing its value among the general reading public.
Reasons for the Decline of Reading
The structural reason for the decline in reading historical books is the existence of a system heavily focused on and reliant upon rote learning rather than active engagement. The historical textbooks included in the curriculum often present selective, simplified, and ideologically filtered narratives. Students do not encounter historical debates, global perspectives, or primary sources on South Asian and world history. Moreover, many public libraries are poorly maintained, unevenly distributed, and remain underfunded. In many cases, rural areas and smaller cities have limited access to quality historical literature. Current bookshops encourage commercial success, promote exam guides, favour self-help books, and prioritize popular fiction over serious historical works.
Another reason for the decline is digital distraction. Digital distractions have also shifted reading culture. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X offer weak and fragmented information that often replaces formal reading. In the present world, reading habits related to history are characterized by oversimplified threads, politicized soundbites, and short videos, rather than the reading of well-researched books.
Accessibility and Language Barriers
Another challenge that contributes to the decline of historical culture is language. Language is perceived as a medium of communication. Students studying any subject in their first language are likely to comprehend the concepts in a very short time. A critical challenge the world faces is that a large amount of serious historical work is published in non-native languages. In this case, it is a drawback for readers who do not have access to history in their own language and therefore do not fully understand the scholarship. Conversely, many locally produced works remain either outdated or lack an engagement with modern historiography. Therefore, the language barrier has not only restricted the development of native scholarship, but it has also contributed to the decline of historical reading culture throughout the world.
When it comes to translation work, translation initiatives are not very focused and remain limited. In some regions, such as China, significant work has been done to translate historical works; however, other societies favour multilingual and bilingual historical publications instead. The ultimate result is that historical work and knowledge remain limited to academic elites, rather than becoming an asset that can be shared culturally.
Consequences
Less attention to historical reading has serious implications. Any society that forgets or becomes disconnected from its history is vulnerable to selective memory, ideological manipulation, and myth-making. Limited or almost no exposure to public discourse and different historical interpretations weakens critical thinking and makes a society more polarised. In the case of Pakistan, debates on nationalism, identity, and statehood are often emotionally driven or ahistorical. While the world is working to preserve its history, learn from it, and commemorate it with great enthusiasm and zeal, the absence of a strong reading culture means civic maturity cannot be expected. A person cannot learn from past failures or successes.
Possibilities for Revival and Signs of Renewal
Despite numerous socio-economic and political challenges, there are still signs of both revival and renewal. Independent researchers, historians, history podcasts, online history lectures, and academic social media platforms can play a role by reintroducing historical discussions to society and younger audiences. Academic institutions, such as universities, can come forward and play a great role in promoting historical literary works. University literary festivals, book fairs, and digital archives can create new, valuable spaces for engagement.
To re-establish the culture of reading historical books within Pakistan. The country specifically needs to reform the curriculum, because the present curriculum emphasizes memorization and undermines critical and logical thinking. Libraries within the country should be easily accessible, revived, and made into community learning spaces. Furthermore, there should be state-sponsored translation projects to translate the English version of historical works into the local language. Similarly, historians’ role is equally important; they need to broaden their area of writing for audiences, they need to engage in media debates, and they should write history more relevant to contemporary issues.
Conclusion
Historical books reading culture in the world generally, and Pakistan specifically, stands at the crossroads between renewal and neglect. History in the world is regarded as a boring subject in contemporary societies. The negligence of history has led societies to ideological manipulation and myth-making. Reviving history is not an elite project but a national need. History, when read widely and critically, strengthens democratic discourse, cultivates informed citizens, and fosters intellectual resilience. Therefore, there is a dire need to reconnect the world regions with their historical literature for future direction and collective consciousness.
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The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Paradigm Shift.
Muhammad Ibrahim is a PhD student in History, currently enrolled at Shanghai University in China, and hails from Chaman, Balochistan, Pakistan.