NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science (History: Our Past III)
The NCERT Solutions in English Language for Class 8 Social Science (History : Our Past III) Chapter – 1 (How, When and Where) has been provided here to help the students in solving the questions from this exercise.
History (Our Pasts – III)
- Chapter – 2 — From Trade to Territory The Company Establishes Power
- Chapter – 3 — Ruling the Countryside
- Chapter – 4 — Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
- Chapter – 5 — When People Rebel 1857 and after
- Chapter – 6 — Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners
- Chapter – 7 — Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation
- Chapter – 8 — Women, Caste and Reform
- Chapter – 9 — The Making of the National Movement: 1870s – 1947
- Chapter – 10 — India after Independence
Chapter – 1 (How, When and Where)
Let’s Recall
1. State whether true or false:
(a) James Mill divided Indian history into three periods – Hindu, Muslim, Christian.
(b) Official documents help us understand what the people of the country think.
(c) The British thought surveys were important for effective administration.
Answer –
(a) James Mill divided Indian history into three periods – Hindu, Muslim, Christian. (False)
(b) Official documents help us understand what the people of the country think. (False)
(c) The British thought surveys were important for effective administration. (True)
Let’s discuss
2. What is the problem with the periodisation of Indian history that James Mill offers?
Answer – James Mill was a political philosopher. He wrote a book named A history of British India in 1817. He divided Indian history into three periods i.e. Hindu, Muslim and British, in his book. This periodization, based on religion deemed to be unfeasible. It did not represent various faiths existing simultaneously during those periods. Moreover, he believed that Indian society was not civilized. European arts, manners, institutions, laws were needed to introduce in India to civilize the Indian society.
3. Why did the British preserve official documents?
Answer – The British, the act of writing was important. Every official document had to be clearly written up and preserved. Once this was done, things could be properly studied and debated. The preserved documents could be used as a point of reference whenever required.
4. How will the information historians get from old newspapers be different from that found in police reports?
Answer – Usually, the newspaper reports are not biased. These reports explain the fact as it was. Most of the time, these do not try to manipulate the event. These represent the true story of the event with every detail. On the other hand, the official reports are usually biased. These are written as per the will of the senior officials. These reports may carry the biased view of the reporting police officer. Thus if the historians are based only on the police reports, they may become misguided.
