How When And Where

What is history?

History is the study of changes that occur overtime. It is about finding out how things were in the past and how these changes have helped us.

How did James Mill divided Indian history? Why do not we accept this periodization?

In 1817 James Mill divided Indian history into three periods-Hindu, Muslim and British

We do not accept this periodization because

Mills thought that all Asian societies were at a lower level of civilization than Europe. According to his style of history before the British came to India, Hindu and Muslim despots ruled the country. Religious intolerance, caste taboos and superstitious practices dominated social life. British rule Mills felt could civilize India.

We cannot refer to any period of history as Hinduism or Muslim because a variety of faiths existed simultaneously in these periods.

What is colonization?

When the subjugation of one country by another leads to different kinds of political, economic, social and cultural changes we refer to the process as colonization.

What are the main sources of our knowledge of the British period?

The main sources are 

1.Official Records

2.Surveys

3.Census

4.Newspaper, personal diaries, storybooks, autobiography

What did British Preserve official documents?

The British believed that the act of writing was important. Every interaction plan, policy decisions, agreements, investigations had to be clearly written up. Once this was done things could be properly studied and debated.

The British also felt that all important documents and letters needs to be carefully preserved .So they set up record rooms attached to all administrative institutions. Specialized institutions like achieves and museums were also established to preserve important records.