With reference to the periodisation of Indian history, consider the following statements: 1. British historians in the nineteenth century divided Indian history into three periods: Hindu, Muslim, and British. 2. This division was based on the significant developments in society, economy, and culture rather than just the religion of rulers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is (a) 1 only. Explanation The periodisation of Indian history has been a subject of debate among historians. In the early nineteenth century, British historians attempted to classify Indian history to better understand and govern the colony. The most prominent of these classifications was proposed by James Mill. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: In 1817, James Mill, a Scottish economist and political philosopher, published a massive three-volume work, A History of British India. In this work, he divided Indian history into three distinct periods: Hindu, Muslim, and British. This periodisation came to be widely accepted at the time. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: Mill’s division was based primarily on the religion of the rulers reigning at the time. He argued that the religion of the rulers was the only significant historical change worth noting. This classification ignored the rich diversity and significant developments in society, economy, and culture that occurred independently of the ruler's faith. It also failed to acknowledge that rulers in ancient India did not all share the same faith, nor was the medieval period exclusively "Muslim" in its social fabric. Key Takeaway James Mill's periodisation (Hindu, Muslim, British) was based on the religion of the rulers, ignoring social, economic, and cultural complexities. Modern historians reject this communal periodisation, preferring terms like Ancient, Medieval, and Modern.

NCERT Class 7 History — Chapter 1: Introduction: Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

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With reference to the periodisation of Indian history, consider the following statements:

British historians in the nineteenth century divided Indian history into three periods: Hindu, Muslim, and British.
This division was based on the significant developments in society, economy, and culture rather than just the religion of rulers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is (a) 1 only.

Explanation

The periodisation of Indian history has been a subject of debate among historians. In the early nineteenth century, British historians attempted to classify Indian history to better understand and govern the colony. The most prominent of these classifications was proposed by James Mill.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: In 1817, James Mill, a Scottish economist and political philosopher, published a massive three-volume work, A History of British India. In this work, he divided Indian history into three distinct periods: Hindu, Muslim, and British. This periodisation came to be widely accepted at the time.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Mill’s division was based primarily on the religion of the rulers reigning at the time. He argued that the religion of the rulers was the only significant historical change worth noting. This classification ignored the rich diversity and significant developments in society, economy, and culture that occurred independently of the ruler's faith. It also failed to acknowledge that rulers in ancient India did not all share the same faith, nor was the medieval period exclusively "Muslim" in its social fabric.

Key Takeaway

James Mill's periodisation (Hindu, Muslim, British) was based on the religion of the rulers, ignoring social, economic, and cultural complexities. Modern historians reject this communal periodisation, preferring terms like Ancient, Medieval, and Modern.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Introduction: Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years

With reference to the cartographic developments in the medieval period, consider the following statements regarding the maps produced by Al-Idrisi and French cartographers: 1. Al-Idrisi’s map, produced in the twelfth century, places South India at the top and Sri Lanka as an island at the top. 2. The French cartographer’s map, made in the eighteenth century, shows inland areas with greater detail than coastal areas. 3. Al-Idrisi used the Devanagari script to mark place names, including well-known places like Kanauj. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the changing meaning of the term "Hindustan" over the centuries: 1. In the thirteenth century, Minhaj-i-Siraj used the term to denote the land under the dominion of the Delhi Sultanate, excluding South India. 2. In the sixteenth century, Babur used the term in a purely political sense to describe his conquests. 3. Amir Khusrau used the word "Hind" in the fourteenth century to describe a geographical and cultural entity. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the copying of manuscripts in the medieval period: 1. Scribes copied manuscripts with absolute precision, ensuring no variations over centuries. 2. The Shikaste style of handwriting was denser and more difficult to read than the Nastaliq style. 3. Historians often have to read multiple versions of the same text to comprehend the original author's intent. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which of the following crops were introduced into the Indian subcontinent during the period 700–1750 CE? 1. Potatoes 2. Corn 3. Chillies 4. Tea and Coffee Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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Consider the following statements regarding the Kayasthas in the medieval period: 1. They were a caste of warriors and chieftains. 2. They rose to political importance between the eighth and fourteenth centuries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Correct Option

The correct option is (a) 1 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: In 1817, James Mill, a Scottish economist and political philosopher, published a massive three-volume work, A History of British India. In this work, he divided Indian history into three distinct periods: Hindu, Muslim, and British. This periodisation came to be widely accepted at the time.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Mill’s division was based primarily on the religion of the rulers reigning at the time. He argued that the religion of the rulers was the only significant historical change worth noting. This classification ignored the rich diversity and significant developments in society, economy, and culture that occurred independently of the ruler's faith. It also failed to acknowledge that rulers in ancient India did not all share the same faith, nor was the medieval period exclusively "Muslim" in its social fabric.