Question

What is the problem with the periodisation of the Indian history that James Mill offers?

Answer 1

In his massive three-volume work, A History of British India, James Mill divides Indian history into three periods − Hindu, Muslim and British. According to his prejudiced version of Indian history, the British rule represents all the forces of progress and civilisation, while the period before British rule represents darkness, ignorance, despotism, religious intolerance, caste taboos, superstitious practises, etc. However, the periodisation of Indian History on the basis of religion is problematic for several reasons. A variety of faiths, apart from Hinduism and Islam, existed in the periods categorised as Hindu and Muslim by Mill. Also, it is not right to classify an age according to the religion of the rulers of the time. To do so would suggest that the lives and the practises of the others do not really matter. Another point to keep in mind is that all rulers in ancient India did not share the same faith.