NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 1 - -How, When and Where

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED

Let’s Recall 

Ques 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.
Ans: (a) False (b) False (c) True

Ques 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.

Ques 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.
 

Ques 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.