Background:
James Mill was a Scottish philosopher, historian, and economist. He wrote a history of British India, which was published in 1817. Mill was of the opinion that British rule in India was necessary to civilize and modernize Indian society. He believed that before the British arrived in India, the country was ruled by Hindus and Muslims.

Explanation:
James Mill was of the opinion that before British came to India, Hindus and Muslims ruled the country. This view was based on his interpretation of Indian history. Mill believed that India was a backward country, which was characterized by religious superstition, caste system, and despotic rulers. He argued that the Hindu and Muslim rulers in India were despotic and oppressive, and they did not allow any freedom or progress in the country.

Evidence:
There is evidence to suggest that James Mill's view of Indian history was influenced by his own biases and prejudices. He had a Eurocentric view of history, and he believed that European civilization was superior to all other civilizations. He also believed that the British were the most civilized and advanced people in the world, and they had a duty to civilize and modernize the rest of the world.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, James Mill was of the opinion that before British came to India, Hindus and Muslims ruled the country. However, his view of Indian history was based on his own biases and prejudices, and it was not an accurate representation of the complex and diverse history of India. It is important to critically examine the views of historians like James Mill, and to understand the role that their biases and prejudices play in shaping their interpretations of history.