HISTORY IS REFERRED TO SPAN OF

TIME

We cannot determine a specific date when

British rule was started as it happened over a
span of time.
Similarly,
we developed a taste of drinking tea
over a period of time.
 See the Advertisements Below:

This 1922 advertisement

for Lipton tea
Recent advertisement of Lipton
tea
CLASS-8
HISTORY CHAPTER-1
HOW, WHEN AND WHERE
Block 2 PPT-Which Dates Are Important
IMPORTANCE OF SOME DATES
 WHAT CRITERIA DO WE CHOOSE TO SET OF DATES AS
IMPORTANT?

The dates we select, the dates around

which we compose our story of the
past, are not important on their own.
They become vital because we focus
on a particular set of events as
important.
If our focus of study changes, if we
begin to look at new issues, a new set
of dates will appear significant.
 FOR EXAMPLE:
Birthday
Like our birthday
vacation

examination and
many other things related to Vacation

us and our family suddenly

become important when we
focus on particular date.
Examination
 FOR EXAMPLE:
In the histories written by
British historians in India, the
Warren
rule of each Governor- Hastings
General was important.
These histories began with
the rule of the first Governor-
General, Warren Hastings
and ended with the last
Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten. Lord
Mountbatten
 FORMER GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA AND VICEROYS

Richard Lord William Charles Charles

Wellesley Bentinck Canning Harding

Hastings,
Wellesley, Bentinck, Dalhousie, Canning,
Lawrence, Lytton, Ripon, Curzon, Harding, Irwin.
Itwas a seemingly never-ending succession of
Governor-Generals and Viceroys.
All the dates in history books were linked to
these personalities – to their activities, policies,
achievements.
E.g. First Governor-General, Warren Hastings
activities, policies, achievements.
 It was as if there was
nothing outside their lives
that was important for us
to know.
The chronology of their
lives marked the different
chapters of the history of
British India.

Chronology: the science that deals with measuring time by

regular division and that assigns to events their proper dates.
 NOW QUESTION ARISES!

Can we not write about the

history of this period in a
different way?

How do we focus on the

activities of different groups
and classes in Indian
society?
 YES WE CAN!

We can write history of this period in a different way and

focus on the activities of different groups and classes in
Indian society.

But How We Can Do This ?

 WHEN WE WRITE BOOK, OR A STORY, WE DIVIDE
IT INTO CHAPTERS.

Why do we do this?

It is to give each chapter some coherence.

Itis to tell a story in a way that makes some sense
and can be followed.
In the process we focus only on those events that
help us to give shape to the story we are telling.
 In the histories that revolve around the life of British
Governor-Generals, the activities of Indians simply do not fit,
they have no space.

WHAT, THEN, DO WE DO?

Clearly, we need another format for our history.
Then, Indian historian started writing about Indians and their
lives.
This would mean that the old dates will no longer have the
significance they earlier had.
A new set of dates will become more important for us to know.
 Do you know?

WHEN WAS THE

FIRST MAP OF
OUR COUNTRY
CREATED?
And the answer is

JAMES RENNEL
Rennel was asked by Robert Clive to
produce maps of Hindustan.
An enthusiastic supporter of British
conquest of India, Rennel saw preparation
of maps as essential to the process of
domination.

Robert Clive
British military officer
LET’S RECALL
Dates around which we compose our story of the past, are not
important on their own.
They become vital because we focus on a particular set of events
as important.
The old dates will no longer have the significance they earlier
had.
A new set of dates will become more important for us to know.
The first map produced by James Rennel, 1782.
Rennel was asked by Robert Clive to produce maps of
Hindustan.
 LET’S EVALUATE
Multiple Choice Question.
1. The first governor general of India was_________.
a) Lord Dalhousie
b) lord Bentinck
c) Warren Hastings
2. who was asked by Robert Clive to produce maps of
Hindustan?
a) Danulle
b) James Rennel
c) James mill
3. The last viceroy of India was:
a) Lord Irwin
b) Lord Canning
c) Lord Mountbatten
Read the topic discussed.
Who was James Rennel? Write a brief note about
James Rennel.