Question

James Mill divided Indian history into three periods Hindu, Muslim and Christians.
A.True
B.False

Answer 1

Hint: James Mill was a Scottish born philosopher, educationist, historian , economist, political theorist . He is known for his famous work “ The History of British India”.

Complete Step by Step answer: In his three volumes of work ‘A History of British India’ he divided Indian history into three periods : Hindu, Muslim and the British. Thus the above statement is false. As the biased version of Indian history is transformed everywhere, James Mill too in his book associates the British period as a period of enlightenment and progress, while the era before the British rule as darkness, ignorance and superstitious.
This categorisation by James Mill is problematic as there were other categories of religion also present in between the periods classified as Hindu or Muslim by Mills. Also it was not fair to divide the ages in accordance to the religion of the rulers.That would negate the presence of plurality. Also all the rulers in ancient India did not share the same religion. James Mill’s son John Stuart Mill is remembered for his exemplary works on liberalism and utilitarianism.

Hence, Option B is correct.

Note: While answering this question do not get confused between James Mill and John Stuart MIll. James Mill is the father of John Stuart Mill. The book which James Mill had written about India severely criticised India for its art, culture, history and even climate. In Spite of the oppression the British inflicted upon India, James Mill praised the East India Company for the changes it had brought upon the country.He has been criticised by historians like Thomas Trottman for his severe indophobia.