I've a confusion in essay..
 

Seniors, please help me in removing a confusion. The confusion is whether history or background precedes the current scenario or it's inverse is true?

In my opinion the history or background should precede your essay.
This is the most commonly used way of writing an essay.
And the obvious reason being reader and writer both feel it easy this way.
Arrangement of arguments is easy this way.
Also if you study any history subject, it'll precede from past towards the latest events.

@Umer:
yeah, that's what I used to do. However, recently I came to know that current scenario should be given first followed by background. I've read many essays in which writers introduce the latest event first and then trace its history.

Yes there are many styles of Essay writing.
You can adapt anyone of these whichever suits you and there is nothing to get confused about.
The only thing being it must follow the basics of the essay e.g outline, introduction, paraghraphs must be tightly linked, correct english usage, argumentation in favor or against the statement, and arguments must be arranged in a sequence and many more basics of the Essay.
Adapt any style of writing which you feel comfortable with.
But the safest way would be to follow the generally used style in which most of the time history or background precedes the later events.

i agree with umer. background should precede your essay which is the most common style of essay writing. first give the introduction of the current situation and the background etc.

@Umer and Jia:
And this principle is also followed in making outline of essay, right?