Why are the terms through which we periodise important ?
Answers
Periodisation helps us understand the sequence in which various events occurred and their effects. It captures the significant features of a particular period and helps us to differentiate it from other periods.
James Mill, a Scottish political philosopher and economist, divided Indian history on the basis of religion into three periods namely, Hindu, Muslim and British.
Historians have classified Indian history on the basis of time - as ancient, medieval and modern. This classification method was borrowed from the west and has its own set of problems. In the West, the modern period is associated with growth and progress.
The British ruled India between 1858 and 1947 and imposed their values and customs over the Indian people. This process of establishing control over a country by another country that brings about a social, economic, political and cultural change is termed as colonisation