Chapter 8 The Modern Period ( 5 Extra question answers)
Answers
Define the word ‘history’.
History is ‘a record of all known past events’.
What are the events that are usually recorded in history books?
The events that are usually recorded are wars, crowning of kings and events related to kingdoms and the lives of rulers.
Mention a few other events, which if recorded, will make history more interesting to everyone.
Historians could write about the cultural changes in society, about how people travelled and exchanged news in the olden days and about the livelihood of people in the past.
Who created the first map of India?
Major James Rennel an English geographer, historian and pioneer of oceanography prepared the first Map of India. He was directed by Major-General Sir Robert Clive to prepare the maps.
What do we mean by ‘time-span’ in connection with historical events?
When a specific date cannot be fixed for an event in the past and only an approximate period can be fixed this period of time is called the time-span. When we talk about changes that took place in certain social practices specific dates cannot be fixed only a time-span can be mentioned, like ‘ people in India gave up the practice of sati during the late 19th century’
What did British historians in India write about?
British historians in India wrote about the Governor Generals and Viceroys who ruled India. Their History books contained the activities, policies and achievements of the Governor Generals and nothing more. All the recorded events with specific dates were linked to the lives of these Governor Generals.
Why is it important to have dates or time frames while writing History?
We need dates and time-spans to divide the history book into chapters. It is necessary to give each chapter some consistency. Dates help us record history in a way that makes some sense and can be followed.
Dates also help historians to focus on those particular events about which they are writing.
Who wrote the book ‘The History of British India’?
‘The History of British India’ was written by James Mill. James Mill was born in 1773. He was a Scottish historian, economist, political theorist, and philosopher. His greatest literary achievement was this book.