Question

Is it necessary to evaluate sources of history? Give your opinion.

Answer 1

1. Any source of information cannot be termed authentic just because it is old. Sources of history have to be genuine and their quality & authenticity have to be determined as per the internal standards. 
2. The sources have to be subjected to critical analysis.
3. Writers also play a major role in evaluating the sources of history. The reliability of their accounts has to be evaluated based on multiple parameters, viz., their integrity, their personal interests, the period in which they lived, the political pressures on them, the nature of their account i.e., whether their accounts are based on hearsay or provide any eyewitness account and the use of exaggerations, metaphors and other literary devices. It has to be properly analyzed, as their account may be one-sided, contradictory, or exaggerated.
4. The information should also be verified with other contemporary sources.

Hence, we can say that it is necessary to evaluate the sources of history.