1. How, When and Where

NCERT SOLUTION FOR CLASS 8 SOCIAL SCIENCE HISTORY CHAPTER -1. How, When and Where  


Question.1.State whether true or false:

Answer. (a) False (b) False (c) True

Q.2. What is the problem with the periodisation of Indian history that James Mill offers?
Ans. James Mill divided Indian history into three periods—Hindu, Muslim and British. This periodisation has its own problem. It is difficult to refer to any period of history as ‘Hindu’ or ‘Muslim’ because a variety of faiths existed simultaneously in these periods. It is also not justified to characterise an age through the religion of the rulers of the time. What it suggests is that the lives and practices of others do not really matter. It is worth-mentioning that even rulers in ancient India did not all share the same faith.

Q.3. Why did the British preserve official documents?
Ans. The British believed that by preserving official documents, it would be easier for them or any other persons to know about the decisions taken in the past. One can study the notes and reports that were prepared in the past. Their copies may be prepared and used in present time if needed so.

Q.4. How will the information historians get from old newspapers be different from that found in police reports?
Ans. The information printed in newspaper are usually affected by the views and opinions of the reporters, news editors etc. But what historians find in police reports are usually true and realistic.

EXTRA QUESTIONS

Q1. What was an important aspect of the histories written by the British historians in India?
Ans. The rule of each Governor-General was an important aspect.
Ans. The rule of each Governor-General was an important aspect.

Q.2. Who was James Mill?
Ans. He was a Scottish economist and political philosopher and is known for his book A History of British India.

Q.3. What was Mill’s opinion about the Asian societies?
Ans.. In Mill’s opinion all Asian societies were at a lower level of civilisation than Europe.

Q.4. Mention one important source used by historians in writing about the last 230 years of Indian history.
Ans. The official records of the British administration.

Q. 5. What is done under census?

Ans.. It records the number of people living all the provinces of India and gathers information on castes, religions and occupation.

Q.6 .What do official records not tell?
Ans. Official records do not tell what other people in the country felt, and what lay behind their actions.

Q.7. Why do we try and divide history into different periods?
Ans. We do so in order to capture the characteristics of a time, its central features as they appear to us.