Question

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

Answer 1

James Mill characterised Indian history on the basis of the rulers of Delhi throne in three periods, basically Hindu, Muslim and British periods. It was outright wrong for the following reasons:

1. It was incorrect on the part of James Mill to characterize the Indian history period through the prism of the religion of rulers, since multiple religions existed simultaneously.
2. James Mill pointed out that pre-British period of Indian history was uncivilised and full of social evils which is ignorant assumption.
3. The periodisation neglected the idea of time periods of different Independent parts of Indian empire as India was not always governed by Delhi as one political unit.