Year End Specials | 2024 — A Year in Review

Do You Make a Point to Learn About the History of the Place You Visit?

This narrative is about a series of concerted efforts made to discover about the past at the actual source.

The photograph is used for representational purposes only [Photo: ©Vickey Maverick.]

We often think of history as a textual discipline. Historical references, and indirect sources, are the primary methods we make use of in our attempts to understand more about past events. Having said that, these are all secondary sources that can, at times, be twisted as per convenience. Besides, an inherent bias pertaining to region, religion and other aspects can never be ruled out in these cases.

Fortunately, history is never entirely textual. On the contrary, there is more context to history than is the case with most other subjects. There is no place where history is as well documented as where the related events have actually taken place. As such, traveling to the source is, without doubt, the best way to learn (and understand) the related history.

In any case, traveling helps you discover and learn about aspects you were hitherto not aware of. When you travel on a frequent basis, you give yourself the opportunity to understand history at the source. It is first-hand information. On any given…