This is a topic I have discussed many times with my brothers, especially during school when we used to study history. Actually, I studied from 4th to 7th grade in an Indian school in Nepal, so I learned Indian history from their point of view. Then when I returned to Pakistan, I studied the Pakistani version. So one thing is for sure, no country ever highlights its own faults. Every nation presents itself in a positive light, and thats exactly what is taught in schools.
And honestly, thats okay but when kids grow up and start thinking for themselves, they begin to question things. Today’s generation Gen Z is much harder to convince than we were during our time.
First topic I always found confusing: The Moon Landing
The first historical topic that always confused me and its more science related, is the moon landing. I remember in 1996, I first asked myself, if the first man landed on the moon in 1969, then why hasnt anyone else gone there in so many years? As I grew older, I read many conspiracy theories, and I started to believe that it might have been a lie that is still taught in school textbooks.
I mean, it just doesnt feel real. If going to the moon was that easy, half the world would be living there by now with todays technology. So why was it done? Was it just to show off achievement? There are so many questions and very few answers.
Second topic: The creation of Pakistan and India
The next topic I have always been unsure about is the creation of Pakistan and India. In Pakistan, we are taught that it was the result of our leaders hard work and sacrifices. In Indian books, its told that their leaders struggled for independence. But we all wanted freedom from the British, so why did we end up dividing ourselves?
Did the leaders at that time not understand that the British had played the "divide and rule" game?
We were one country, and suddenly we were split, even worse, East and West Pakistan were created, separated by a thousand miles. Was it already known that East Pakistan would never last long? It eventually became Bangladesh in 1971.
Even the reasons for Bangladesh’s separation are told differently in both countries. Indian books say one thing, and Pakistan puts all the blame on India. Its hard to understand what the truth really is.
History feels unreliable sometimes
Reading history books sometimes makes me feel strange. Can we really trust them? In the end, people write history based on how they see it, not necessarily how it happened.
Take the Two Nation Theory, thats what Pakistan was built on. But even now, India has more Muslims than Pakistan. Didnt they want a separate country too?
What about the innocent people who suffered because of Partition? People who lost everything and were forced to migrate. Many died, and those who survived had to start from zero.
Even my own grandmother was part of this history. She used to live a royal life, from a Nawab family but had to leave everything and move to Pakistan, where she lived in a small house. These stories always make me think deeply.
What if the British had just left us united?
Sometimes I think that if the British had left us without dividing us, maybe today we would have been one of the strongest countries in the world. And about religion, I believe even a united country could have protected religious rights. But well, these are just my personal thoughts. Maybe the leaders who made those big decisions saw things differently at the time.
Nepal: My 4 Years in the Kingdom
I lived in Nepal for 4 years during the time when there was still a kingdom. I loved it. When the king used to pass by the ring road with his army, it felt special. Life was peaceful back then.
But when I came back to Pakistan, I heard that the king’s whole family was killed, and democracy came. In my opinion, democracy equals corruption and thats what happened. Now Nepal doesnt have the same peace or standard of living it once had. But if you read textbooks, they will say things are better now. Again, mixed views.
Egypt: I Saw the Revolution with My Own Eyes
I also saw the Egyptian revolution happen with my own eyes. A 30 year dictatorship ended but I personally feel that Egypt went 30 years backwards after that. Their tourism suffered a lot, and I didnt see much benefit for the common people. Yes, the people were incredibly united, and that unity forced the president to resign. But did they really gain anything?
Maybe they will record it in history as a great achievement. Maybe they will call it a mistake. That depends on how people think. But to me, it felt like the country suffered more than it gained.
Final Thought: History Depends on Mindset
Every person thinks differently. And after reading history, a hundred questions come to mind but only a few people ask them out loud. Most just follow what they are told.
But one thing is clear, history should make us think, not just believe blindly.
What do we usually learn from it? That no one accepts their mistakes and whatever they did was right, and for their own good.
In the end, it all depends on your mindset.
Thanks for giving me a chance to write out whats been in my heart for so long.