Who was the author of the book 'History of British India'?
- A.Charles Grant
- B.John Stuart Mill
- C.James Mill
- D.William Jones
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, James Mill. The Scottish historian and philosopher James Mill published 'The History of British India' in three volumes in 1817.
Mill wrote the work without ever visiting India or knowing an Indian language, and he judged Indian society as backward and in need of reform by British law and government. He divided Indian history into Hindu, Muslim and British periods, a split along religious lines that shaped how history was taught for a long time. The book won him a post with the East India Company in London, and it became a standard text for Company officials.
A, Charles Grant, wrote 'Observations on the State of Society among the Asiatic Subjects of Great Britain' and pressed for missionary education.
B, John Stuart Mill, James Mill's son, also worked for the Company but is known for 'On Liberty' and other works of philosophy.
D, William Jones founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784 and translated Kalidasa's 'Abhijnanashakuntalam'.
Exam tip: James Mill, 'History of British India' (1817), with its Hindu, Muslim and British periods.
Practice Questions
View allWith reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements :
1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
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The Act of 1935 proposed an All India Federation of provinces and princely states, but kept defence and foreign affairs with the Governor-General, not the legislature.
Read the full explanation →With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State.
2. The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of Vijayanagara Empire.
3. Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.1 and 2
- B.2 only
- C.2 and 3
- D.3 only
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Arcot grew out of the Nizam's Deccan dominion and Mysore out of the Vijayanagara Empire, but Rohilkhand was carved out of Mughal land, not Durrani's. The Nawabs of Arcot, or of the Carnatic, began as deputies of the Nizam of Hyderabad, who governed the Deccan for the Mughals; Saadatullah Khan…
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements :
1. There are no parables in Upanishads.
2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
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Read the full explanation →In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as
- A.leaders of Swadeshi and Boycott Movement
- B.members of the Interim Government in 1946
- C.members of the Drafting Committee in the Constituent Assembly
- D.officers of the Indian National Army
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Read the full explanation →With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis, consider the following statements :
1. Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were exempted from revenue payment in case of bad harvests or natural calamities.
2. Under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, if the Zamindar failed to pay his revenues to the state, on or before the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
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Read the full explanation →