Oral History as a Source for Modern Indian History: The PMML Project
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Modern Indian History (Important Personalities, Key Events, Institutions like Prime Ministers' Museum and Library); Art and Culture (Sources of History).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (Modern Indian History & Culture): Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues; The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country. Understanding the nature and limitations of historical sources is fundamental to the discipline.
Key Highlights from the News
The Oral History Project at the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library (PMML) in Delhi is a significant collection documenting the history of modern India.
It records interviews with people who have witnessed Indian history and major events.
Started in 1966, the project includes memoirs of prominent figures like Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Acharya Kripalani, Louis Mountbatten, E.M.S. Namboodiripad, and S. Chandrashekar.
Initially focused on individuals related to the freedom struggle, it now covers topics like economy and foreign policy.
Oral history alone is not an authoritative source for research. However, when combined with other archival sources, it provides a human and personal dimension to history.
The institution previously known as the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) is now PMML.
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