1. Why study History?

Forms of identification of a Historical problem/Choosing of Subject

Types of Topics
The first model is biographical. The historian chooses to study the life of a ruler. Rulers like Asoka, Kanishka, Samudragupta etc., in the medieval period; Viceroys like Curzon, Montague, etc., in modern period, drew the attention of history researchers to make scientific investigations.
The second model is the study of families. The works like Eastern Gangas by Kamesvara Rao, Western Gangas by A.R. Baji, Saluva Dynasty by P. Srirama Sarma, etc., show how the researchers studied different families.
The third model is the study of administration. Administration during times of the later Gangas and Gajapatis by C.V. Rama Chandra Rao, Administration and Social Life during the Vijayanagara Period by T.V. Mahilingam, etc., indicate how the entire administration became the target of detailed and analytical studies.
The fourth model is the study of regions. For instance, Early History of the Andhra Country by K. Gopalacari (published by Madras University, Madras), Chittor through the Ages by M.D.Sampath, Historical Geography of A.P. by Mangalam, etc., show how the researchers can study a complete geographical zone within a chronological set-up.
In the early days, cultural history occupied a place next to political history.It included the study of monuments like temples, stupas, basadis, forts and cultural traits like religion. It had many overlapping relations with archaeological sources and art history too. In the historic period, cultural history revolved around monuments, in groups and in isolation.
Problems
It is essential to discuss the problems facing the researchers in history. The following are the major problems.

1. 
   Selection of the Guide: This can be considered as a major problem, equal t or even more than that of selecting a topic.
   
2. 
   Scholarships: Most of the scholars depend upon scholarships sanctioned by agencies.
   
3.