30 Questions
What was James Rennel asked to produce by Robert Clive, and how did Rennel view this task?
Rennel was asked to produce maps of Hindustan, and he saw it as essential to the process of British domination of India.
What is the symbolism behind the picture of Brahmans offering the Shastras to Britannia?
The picture suggests that Indians willingly gave over their ancient texts to Britannia, asking her to become the protector of Indian culture.
Why is it sometimes incorrect to fix precise dates to historical processes?
Because some processes happen over a period of time and cannot be attributed to a single date or event.
What is the problem with associating history with a string of dates?
It oversimplifies the complexity of historical processes, which often unfold over a period of time.
What kind of events were traditionally considered worthy of being recorded in historical accounts?
Battles and big events.
What is the alternative to fixing precise dates to historical processes?
Referring to a span of time or an approximate period over which particular changes became visible.
What type of information did historians traditionally focus on when writing about rulers?
Historians wrote about the year a king was crowned, the year he married, the year he had a child, the year he fought a particular war, the year he died, and the year the next ruler succeeded to the throne.
What kinds of issues do historians now explore in addition to traditional dates?
How people earned their livelihood, what they produced and ate, how cities developed and markets came up, how kingdoms were formed and new ideas spread, and how cultures and society changed.
What does the 1922 advertisement for Lipton tea suggest about the product?
That royalty all over the world is associated with this tea.
Why are the dates we select to focus on considered important?
Because we focus on a particular set of events as important.
What do historians consider when choosing dates to focus on?
Criteria for selecting important dates are based on the events we consider vital to understanding the past.
What do old advertisements like the 1922 Lipton tea ad reveal about the past?
How markets for new products were created and new tastes were popularised.
What was the primary purpose of the British in conducting detailed surveys in India during the colonial period?
To effectively administer the country by gathering information about the topography, soil quality, flora, fauna, local histories, and cropping patterns.
What kind of information did the botanical gardens and natural history museums established by the British collect?
Plant specimens and information about their uses.
What was the frequency of Census operations in India from the end of the nineteenth century?
Every ten years.
What were the various types of surveys conducted by the British in India?
Botanical surveys, zoological surveys, archaeological surveys, anthropological surveys, and forest surveys.
What was the significance of the surveys and Census operations in understanding the Indian region?
They helped the British to gather detailed information about the region, which was seen as necessary to administer it effectively.
What did the local artists do to contribute to the collection of information about plant specimens?
They drew pictures of the plant specimens.
What marked the different chapters of the history of British India?
The chronology of the lives of Governor-Generals and Viceroys
What is the limitation of writing history in the format of Governor-Generals?
It focuses only on the activities of the Governor-Generals and Viceroys, ignoring other important events and groups in Indian society
Why do historians divide history into chapters?
To give each chapter some coherence and to tell a story that makes sense and can be followed
What is the problem with the traditional way of writing history?
It only focuses on the lives and activities of the Governor-Generals and Viceroys, ignoring other important aspects of Indian society
What do the dates in the history books written by British historians in India relate to?
The lives and activities of the Governor-Generals and Viceroys
What is the suggestion made in the passage about writing history?
To focus on the activities of different groups and classes in Indian society
What is a major limitation of traditional histories of British Governor-Generals in India?
They do not account for the activities of Indians, leaving them without space or significance.
What is the purpose of periodizing history?
To capture the characteristics of a time and its central features, and to show the significance of change from one period to the next.
What was James Mill's approach to periodizing Indian history?
He divided Indian history into three periods: Hindu, Muslim, and British.
What reflects our ideas about the past when periodizing history?
The terms through which we periodise, which demarcate the difference between periods.
What was Warren Hastings' significance in Indian history?
He became the first Governor-General in 1773.
What was James Mill's view of Asian societies relative to Europe?
He believed that all Asian societies were at a lower level of civilization than Europe.
Explore the intersection of British colonialism and map-making in 18th century India, as seen through the work of James Rennel and the symbolism of his maps. Learn how maps were used as a tool of domination and how they reflected the attitudes of British colonizers towards Indian culture. Test your knowledge of this fascinating chapter in Indian history!
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
