Chapter 1 – How, When, and Where

Chapter 1 – How, When, and Where

 

1. What is History? (What is History?)

• History is the study of past events.
• It tells us how things were in the past and how they changed over time.
• Historians record the past in a sequence of events.

 

2. Why are dates important? (Why are Dates Important?)

• Dates are important in history because they help us understand which event happened when.
• Earlier, historians had to pay more attention to remembering the dates of wars and big events.
• But history is not just the study of dates. It’s also about how things change and evolve over time.
• Example: When did people start drinking tea? It was not a one-day event, but a process.

 

3. Which dates are important? (Which Dates are Important?)

• Not every date is important. Only those dates that are associated with a particular event or change are important.
• Dates become important because we focus on a particular set of events.
• If we change the focus of the study, the important dates also change.
• Usage :  The Governor-General’s dates are important in the history of British rule in India, but they may be less important if we study the history of Indian society.

 

4. How do we determine periods? (How do we Periodise?)

• Historians divide the past into large periods or periods to make the study easier.
•  This division is done on the basis of economic, social and political characteristics at a particular time.
• Division of Periods by James Mill:
  • In 1817, Scottish economist and political philosopher James Mill  wrote a huge book titled  ‘A History of British India’.
  • He divided Indian history into three periods: Hindu, Muslim and British.
  • His Thinking: He believed that before the British rule, India was only dominated by religious intolerance, caste restrictions and superstitions. He felt that British rule could lead India towards civilization.
  • Problems: This division of the mill was problematic because it ignored India’s religious diversity and suggested that there was no progress in India before the British rule.
• More Common Divisions of Indian History:
  • Modern Indian historians usually divide Indian history  into  ancient,  medieval, and modern periods.
  • Modern Period: This period  is considered to be   associated with the development of the forces of science, reason, democracy, freedom and equality.
  • Problems: In India, people under British rule did not experience equality, freedom, or economic development, leading some to refer to the period as  ‘colonial’.

 

5. What is Colonial? (What is Colonial?)

• When one country conquers another country and brings political, economic, social and cultural changes on it, the process  is called  colonisation.
• Under the British rule,  people did not get equality, freedom or economic development. They changed our crops according to their needs, changed our customs and values.
• Therefore, this period is called the colonial period .

 

6. How do we know history? (How do we Know History?)

Historians use a variety of sources for information about the past:

1. Administrative Records:

• • The British considered it very important to write down every plan, decision, agreement and investigation.
  • They had  archives and  record rooms where all important documents and letters were kept safe.
  • Examples: National Archives and National Museum.
  • The problem: These records tell us only the official point of view. They don’t explain what ordinary people thought or how they felt things.

1. Surveys :

• • The British administration believed that in order to effectively govern a country, it had to know it properly.
  • They conducted several surveys:
    •  Revenue Surveys:  To collect information on soil quality, flora, fauna, local history, and crops.
    • Census:  To collect information about population, caste, religion, and occupation.
    •  Botanical Surveys,  Zoological Surveys, Archaeological Surveys,  Anthropological Surveys,  Forest Surveys, etc.

iii.  Other Sources:

• • Diaries and autobiographies: people’s personal feelings and experiences.
  •  Accounts of Travellers: A description of the society of that time.
  • Books written by different people: novels, poems, etc.
  •  Newspapers: Public opinion and information about events.
  •  Artefacts and Monuments: Physical Evidence.