Question

what is the problem with the periodisation james mill offers?

Class 8 History Chapter 1 NCERT

Answer 1

The problem with the periodisation of Indian history by James Mill is that he divided the Indian history into Hindu, Muslim and the British period. It has been argued by many historians that it is not correct to periodise the Indian history on the basis of religion of the rulers. For example, when the Hindu kings ruled in ancient India, many religions existed peacefully. Similarly, it was not correct to periodise medieval India as Muslim History since people belonging to different faiths coexisted during this time. Such periodisation which was based on the religion of the rulers suggests that the lives, practices and the culture of the other people do not matter. Mill also sought to show that before the advent of the British, all the Asiatic societies were at lower level of civilisation.

Answer 2

Answer :

James mill divided Indian history into Hinduism and Muslim and British periods.

This periodisation is based on the religious line that there was a face for which the Hindu were the rulers and other work ruled.

Then came the face of the Muslims and Britishers i.e. Christians. He had a colonial mind and thought asians to have poorly civilized. He felt Europeans to be superior.

So , infact, through this periodisation he tried to divide the people with their own specific identity which was not a correct.

During the Muslim and British they were were thousands of Hindu and Muslim princely states.

So , this is not a proper periodisation of Indian history.

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