How do We Know?

How Important are Dates?

Historians have long attached great importance to dates as they serve as markers for significant events such as battles, reigns of rulers, and major policy decisions....

Which Dates?

The selection of dates in constructing historical narratives is a deliberate process aimed at providing coherence to different epochs of history. Each chosen date serves to highlight significant events and transitions, thereby facilitating a structured and comprehensible account of the past....

How do we periodise?

The concept of periodization, as exemplified by James Mill’s “A History of British India,” published in 1817, involves dividing historical timelines into distinct epochs or periods based on key themes, events, or transitions....

What is Colonial?

The process of colonization, exemplified by the British conquest of India, entails the establishment of political, economic, and social control by a foreign power over a native population. This chapter elucidates how British colonial rule in India involved the subjugation of local rulers, the exploitation of natural resources, and the imposition of British cultural and administrative systems....

How do We Know?

Administration produces records...

Administration produces records

The preservation and documentation of historical records play a crucial role in reconstructing the past and understanding historical developments. British colonial administrators maintained detailed records of administrative proceedings, memos, and reports, reflecting a systematic approach to record-keeping and documentation....

Surveys become important

Surveying emerged as a vital tool for colonial administrators in mapping and categorizing the geographical, demographic, and natural features of colonized territories. Detailed surveys conducted during the colonial era provided valuable data on land ownership, agricultural practices, population demographics, and resource distribution....

What official records do not tell

While official records offer valuable insights into colonial governance and administration, they often present a biased or incomplete perspective on historical events and societal dynamics....

CBSE Class 8 History Notes Chapter 1 – How, When and Where- FAQs

What is the significance of dates in historical study?...