When Where and How Class 8th History lesson 1st

NOTES PREPARED BY 

Tawseef  Ahmad

Public School

TEACHER 

Subject: Social Science                                         

Part – A : History                            

Chapter   01 : 

'When, Where and How'                                          

1. State whether true or false: 

a) James Mill divided Indian History into three periods- Hindu, Muslim, and Christian. 

► False

 b) Official documents help us understand what the people of the country think. 

► False 

c) The British thought surveys were important for effective administration. 

► True   

  Q1. What is the problem with the periodization of Indian history that James Mill offers ?  

Ans.  The problem with the James Mill's periodization of Indian history is mentioned below : 

1.   He had referred the first two periods as Hindu and Muslim which is not accepted as during  these periods there existed a variety of other faiths. Besides, he did not refer British period as  Christian period 

 2.    He has characterised the first two periods of Indian History after the religion of the rulers. 

 3.   There were imperialist designs in this periodization. This is revealed from the fact that he projected the Hindu and Muslim periods as the darkest, while as the British period was associated with the growth of all the forces of modernity.  

Q2.Why did the British preserve official documents ? 

Ans. The British preserved the important official documents because these served as records of what the officials thought, what they were interested in and what they wished for. According to the British, writing was more important than speaking as the documents in archives and museums can be utilized for reference at a much later period whenever required for studying or 

debating. These can also serve as an information or proof of any decision or action taken earlier on some matter.

  Q3. How will the information historians get from old newspapers be different from that found in police records  ? 

Ans. The information that the historians get from old newspapers and police records can be different because of the following reason 

1. Police reports reflect the thoughts, interest and wishes of the officials or government whereas, the newspapers reflect the thoughts, interests and wishes of the pubic. 

2. Police reports can be filled with bias whereas, newspapers being more public oriented give more coverage to the opinion of the public.