773700454-PPT-GR-VIII-HIS-How-When-Where.pptx

This help you to understand history

1. Objectives: Understand the heading of the chapter: Introduction to History [Modern Indian History] The features of the chapter: Dates to events {Shift} Which are the dates considered important in history Method of periodisation [James Mill] What is Colonial?? Sources of History? & Issues related to it. History How? When? Where?

2. How Important are Dates?? A time when History was synonymous with dates History was all about comparison [“Before” and “After”] Everything has a history [ Tea, Railway, Paper etc] Then everything must have a time period Then why do we associate history with a string of dates??? But, it is actually incorrect to fix precise dates to processes. There can be no clear date for the process. E.g , People in India did not drink begin drinking tea one fine day You too have a HISTORY How Important are Dates??

3. How Important are Dates?? The reason for associating dates with history Earlier, there was a time when history was an account of battles and big events [The DATECENTRIC method of recording history] E.g. When was the king Crowned, married, died etc The other method of recording history was based on events , hence it was not datecentric. E.g., How people earned their livelihood What they produced, how they produced!! This is a method of recording history

4. Which Dates? History is not only all about dates, but dates do play a very important role. Which dates Dates depends on events If we change our focus of events and issues subsequently the dates will also change Example History, written by British historians, would consider rule of Governor General as important. [Warren Hastings to Mount Batten] Their classification will revolve around the British Governor Generals. Indians and their generals will not have any role in it. But, when we write History from Indian perspective a new set of dates will become more important for us to know.

5. Personalities The first Governor General of India in 1773 The last Viceroy of India History books narrated deeds of Governor Generals, biographies glorified them as persons, and paintings projected them as powerful figures

6. How do we periodise? In 1817, James Mill , a Scottish economist and political philosopher. At that time this periodisation was widely accepted. James Mill’s idea of history[ British rule as the forces to progress and civilization ] All Asian societies are at a lower level of civilization than Europeans. But, there was a problem in the periodisation that James Mill offered. Periodisation What? Why? We can show significant changes between different time period. Published The History of British India [book] Divided Indian History into three periods Hindu, Muslim and British

7. Problems in the periodization of James Mill James Mill divided history on religious ground Hindu, Muslim, British[Christians] Is it right to characterise an age(period) based on only the religion of the rulers of the time. Does the life, religion and practices of the others do not matter? Hence, this periodisation is not true and justified Because variety of faith existed simultaneously E.g. when Delhi was ruled by Muslim rulers in south there were rulers of other faith also “ Ancient” “ Medieval” “Modern” Primitive [old society] Transition period] neither ancient nor modern [Associated with the growth of modern forces] E.g. Science, reason, democracy, liberty and equality Was it true in the case of India??? No [Western perspective] Due to the limitations of periodisation offered by James Mill, moving away from British classification, historians have divided Indian history into : Therefore, Many historians referred this modern period as “Colonial Period”.

8. What is Colonial Conquered local Nawabs and Rajas Established their rule They Started subjugating the locals Established control over economy They brought the changes in values and tastes, customs and practices British came to India Therefore, we can say that they colonised India. “The subjugation of one country by another leading to the political, economical, social and cultural changes, this process is known as Colonization”.

9. Administration Produces Records!!! How do we know about the last 250 years of Indian History? Official records of the British administration Every instruction, plan, policy, decision, agreement investigation had to be clearly written up. All important documents and letters were carefully preserved. Record rooms were attached to all administrative institutions, specialised institutions like archives and museums were also established to preserve important records. Letters and memos of various branches were also preserves [ Reports and Instructions ] These documents were copied and beautifully written by Calligraphist . With the spread of printing multiple copies of these records were printed.

10. Surveys become important Another important source of writing history was Britishers believed that a country had to be properly known before it could be effectively administered. Therefore, Detailed surveys were being carried out. [Revenue surveys , surveys to know the topography, soil quality, flora, fauna, the local history, cropping pattern were carried out] Census Operation – Collection of census data began to be held after every 10 years Produced the record of the people such as their number, caste, religion and occupation There were many other surveys too ` like the botanical, zoological, anthropological and forest surveys. Surveys Reading or examining of a particular area, subject etc.

11. What Official Records do no tell? Let’s understand the heading History written according to the perspective of the British Governors Official record tell us what the officers thought, what they were interested in and what they wished to preserve for posterity. [ Reality may be different] History must be looked from other perspective also Diaries of people, accounts of pilgrims & travellers, autobiographies, of important personalities, ideas of Leaders and Reformers, poets and novelists . Yet, the history lacks the perspective of peasants, workers and tribals , getting to know their lives was amore difficult task Absence of Indian Perspective HOW?? NOT FIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION Newspapers provide accounts of movements in different parts of the country. Here a report recorded by HINDUSTAN TIMES on March 22, 1946, reveal what one of the 2000 policemen in Delhi had to say: “ the food supplied to us from the police lines kitchen is not fit for consumption. Even cattle would not eat the chappattis and dal which we have to eat”.

12. Let us Summarize:- Introduction How important are dates? Which dates? How do we periodise Problems in periodization by James Mill What is colonial? Administration produces records Surveys became important What official records do not tell