MA 1 Modern India Political Process Prepared By: W.shaiza

Topic: Historiography Approach of Imperialist Historiography James Mills History of British India(1817)- Periodization Into Hindu,Muslim And British Era William Johns (1746- 94)—Spoke of the Inferiority of Asiatic Nations,Absence of idea of political freedom. Oriental Dispotism was a recuring theme. Macualay— inferiority of indian

Imperialist Historiography Max Muller—Nation of philosophers,lack of political and material speculation ,absence of feeling of nationality. Aristotal—Oriental Rule—autocratic in character. Such views dominated by imperialist ideology justify “whitemen Burden”. Colonialist agenda—Alien Rule is justified in keeping with the tradition of backwardness.

Nationalist Historiography In reaction to colonalists historiography They tried to build a strong and powerful case for political and social progress RC Dutt—Ancient king did justice to all AC Das —Concept of limited monarchy in ancient india K.P. Jayaswal—Importance of Republic in indain history

Nationalist Historiography Refute the Imperialist approach : Attempt to infuse nationalism Concept of Golden Age:K.P.Jayaswal,A.C.Das, R.C. Majumdar—Glowing past history Many more historians counter the imperialist ideology.In doing so they also become victim of biasness and hyperpole. Failed to project indian history in the right perspective.

Subaltern Historiography Recent origin; Ranajit Guha and his school of thought. Attempt to overcome limitation of British and nationalist concept. Understanding history from below. Perspective of marginalised was taken into account Gender relations,Peasants,Dalits,Comman men. Their role ,contribution in the freedom movement,response to call of nationalism,contribution in the making of history. Attemp to project history through holistic approach.

MARXIST HISTORIOGRAPHY Emphasise on economic dimension of history. History as a class struggle;antagonism between capitalist and working class. Call for a Revolution to established a classless sociaty,communism in it’s fullest manifestation. Support Imperialism as catalyst for a Revolution despite it’s negative fall out on the colonies. Talk of the static and unchanging nature of Asiatic society and inability to change from within in his concept of “Asiatic mode of production”.

MARXIST HISTORIOGRAPHY Justify British Imperialism in India as precursor for a final revolution and demise of Capitalism. Justify sufferings and depriavations of the colonies as necessary evils and as a transitional phase on the way to Communism.

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