preserve history in the interactive python

[Nikhil]

Hi,

I am using python -i, and I find it hard typing/pasting the commands 
from the previous interactive shell. Basically, is there anyway that I 
can preserve the history in the shell?
I guess but not sure there should be something like ~/.pyrc for 
configuring such but can someone please let me know what is the 
effective environment variable to preserve the history?

Thanks,
Nikhil