NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 1 How, When and Where

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 History Chapter 1

Students preparing chapter 1 history class 8 often look for clear and reliable study material to understand important concepts. Class 8 History Chapter 1 – How, When and Where explains how history is written, why dates are important, and how different sources help us study the past. This chapter introduces students to the idea of periodisation and the role of official records, surveys, and archives in writing history.

Class 8 history chapter 1 question answer sections help students revise key topics such as colonial administration, the importance of historical sources, and how historians interpret events differently. Practicing NCERT class 8 history chapter 1 question answer improves conceptual clarity and prepares students for exams effectively.

Well-structured class 8th history chapter 1 solutions provide step-by-step answers in simple language, making it easier for students to understand and remember important points. These solutions follow the NCERT textbook closely and are useful for both revision and homework.

Students searching for how when and where class 8 ncert solutions will find them helpful in strengthening their fundamentals. Overall, mastering how when and where class 8 through NCERT-based questions and answers builds a strong foundation for higher classes and develops historical thinking skills.

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Class 8 History Chapter 1 How, When and Where Questions Answers

The solutions for Chapter 1, "How, When and Where," are provided below. Students can refer to these solutions to better understand the concepts discussed in the chapter. It is recommended that students also check NCERT Solutions for Class 8 for other subjects to ensure comprehensive preparation for their exams.

1. State whether true or false:

(a) James Mill divided Indian history into three periods – Hindu, Muslim, Christian.

(b) Official documents help us understand what the people of the country think.

(c) The British thought surveys were important for effective administration.

Answer.

(a) False (b) False (c) True

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

Answer. James Mill's periodisation of Indian history, dividing it into Hindu, Muslim, and British periods, presents certain problematic views, particularly highlighting the superiority of the British over Hindus and Muslims. His approach has several flaws:

a. Mill viewed all Asian societies as inferior to Europe in terms of civilisation, reflecting a Eurocentric bias that undermines the rich cultural and intellectual contributions of Indian civilization. b. He depicted pre-British India as a period dominated by despotic Hindu and Muslim rulers, ignoring the diversity and complexity of governance systems and cultural achievements during those times. c. Mill portrayed pre-colonial Indian society as characterized by religious intolerance, caste-based discrimination, and superstitions. This oversimplified and negative portrayal overlooks the rich tapestry of social, cultural, and religious practices that existed in India before British colonization.

3. Why did the British preserve official documents?

Answer. The British preserved official documents as they believed that thorough documentation would facilitate study and debate in the future. This practice served two main purposes:

1. Study and Analysis: Preserving official documents enabled the British administrators to study and analyze their decisions and policies over time. By documenting their actions, they could evaluate their effectiveness and make informed decisions for future governance.
2. Legal Proof and Accountability: The British considered official records as evidence of their decisions and actions. They believed that maintaining a detailed record would provide legal proof and accountability for their administrative decisions. In case of disputes or challenges, these records could be used to justify their actions and decisions.

4. How will the information historians get from old newspapers be different from that found in police reports?

Answer. The information historians gather from old newspapers and police reports can vary significantly. Historians typically collect data from diverse sources, including both official and unofficial documents. Police reports offer an administrative perspective and often have limited details, focusing primarily on record-keeping rather than storytelling.

While police reports stick to procedural information, journalism and reporting take a different approach, providing richer context and detailed descriptions of events. However, newspapers may overlook or omit information that isn't directly related to law enforcement. Newspapers, as a mass media, offer broader perspectives and elaborate on events. Yet, the accuracy and value of information from any source require thorough research and investigation. Historians aim to create a balanced and comprehensive understanding of historical periods by examining multiple sources, considering biases, and assessing underlying interests.

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How, When and Where Summary

The summary of NCERT Class 8 Our Pasts-III Chapter 1 "How, When and Where" is as follows:

Importance of Dates:

• The chapter discusses the significance of dates in understanding historical events.
• The process of periodisation, or dividing history into periods, and explains the concept of colonialism.

Methods of Historical Inquiry:

• The chapter explores how historians gather information about the past.
• It highlights the role of administrative records and surveys in historical research.
• Emphasis is placed on the limitations of official records and the need to supplement them with other sources of information.

Master Your Exams with Class 8 History Chapter 1 Question Answer

You don't just have to remember dates in history. It's about knowing how things change over time. If you look for class 8 history chapter 1 question answer, you'll see that the essential point is still how we group the past. James Mill split Indian history into three parts: Hindu, Muslim, and British. Historians who favour "ancient," "mediaeval," and "modern" later disagreed with this interpretation.

Why Dates are Important in History

People often think that history is uninteresting since it is all about dates. This is a limited point of view. Dates are just markers that let us keep track of changes and compare how things were in the past to how they are today. We don't just want to know when a king was crowned; we also want to know how people made a living and what the markets were like.

The Problem with James Mill’s Periodization

James Mill, a Scottish economist, wrote "A History of British India" in 1817. He split history into groups based on the faith of the leaders. He believed that European societies were more advanced than Asian ones. Mill thought that British control might "civilise" India by bringing in European customs, laws, and institutions. But current historians say that you can't define a whole time period by the religion of its leaders, as there were various religions at the same time.

How We Know About the Colonial Period

One vital part of understanding the last 250 years of Indian history is official records. The British kept detailed accounts of every instruction, plan, policy decision, and investigation. They built record rooms attached to administrative institutions like the Secretariat and Collectorate. Specialized archives and museums were also established to preserve these important documents.

The Role of Surveys in Administration

The British believed a country had to be properly known before it could be effectively governed. By the early 19th century, detailed surveys were being carried out to map the entire country. These botanical, zoological, and archaeological surveys recorded the flora, fauna, and local topography. These records tell us what the officials thought, but they often hide what the common people of the country felt or did.

What Official Records Do Not Tell Us

Official records are a goldmine of information, yet they have limits. They represent the perspective of the government. To understand the lives of ordinary people—like tribals, peasants, or workers in the mines—we have to look elsewhere. We turn to diaries of people, accounts of pilgrims, and autobiographies of important personalities. As printing spread, newspapers published columns where leaders and reformers expressed their ideas, giving us a fuller picture of the past.

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Class 8 History How, When and Where Practice Questions and Answers

True or False:

1. James Mill divided Indian history into three periods – Hindu, Muslim, Christian. (False – It was Hindu, Muslim, and British).

2. Official documents help us understand what the people of the country think. (False – They show what officials thought).

3. The British thought surveys were important for effective administration. (True).

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

Mill's split was based on the monarchs' religion. It implied that no other substantial alterations transpired during this period, other from the transformation of the ruler's faith. This view doesn't take into account the lives and customs of the many different groups of people who live in India. It also assumes that the time before British control was dark and stagnant.

Why did the British preserve official documents?

What was the reason for the British to keep official papers?

They thought it was very important to write. It was important to write down every policy and agreement explicitly so that they could be looked at and spoken about later. This led to a culture of memos, notes, and reports that functioned as a permanent record for the next government.

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