Question

Explanation of James mill's periodisations of Indian history .why was it unacceptable to the history of independent India???

Answer 1

James Mill was a Scottish economist and political philosopher. He divided Indian history into three periods namely, Hindu, Muslim and British periods.

The difficulties faced by James mill's periodisation were:

According his division during Hindu Period Muslims were present.So, it is not acceptable as only Hindu period.

In Muslim Period Hindus were present.So it is not acceptable as only Hindu period. Muslims had been living in India from much earlier than beginning of the Islamic rule in India.

The British projected the Hindu and Muslim periods as the dark ages and British rule represented all the forces of progress and civilisation.

A period in history cannot be characterized only through the religion of the rulers.

so it is not correct to divide history on the basis of religion as Hindu period and Muslim period.