NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 1 Question Answers cover all the book exercise questions in a precise and simplified way. NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 1 Question Answers are easy to understand and learn for exams.
NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 1 Question Answers
1. State whether true or false:
(a) James Mill divided Indian history into three periods – Hindu, Muslim, and Christian. False
(b) Official documents help us understand what the people of the country think. False
(c) The British thought surveys were important for effective administration. True
2. What is the problem with the periodization of Indian history that James Mill offers?
Answer: It is difficult to refer to any period of history as ‘Hindu’ or ‘Muslim’ because a variety of faiths existed simultaneously in these periods. Even rulers in ancient India did not all share the same faith.
Also, British rule represented all the forces of progress and civilization, and the period before British rule was one of darkness.
3. Why did the British preserve official documents?
Answer: The British preserved documents because:
>These records could be studied for administrative purposes.
>Preserved records could be used as a source of information.
>Preserved documents gave information about the policies, plans, developments, etc.
>Documents were also helpful in understanding the social, economic, and history of those times.
4. How will the information historians get from old newspapers be different from that found in police reports?
Answer: The information printed in old newspapers might be affected by the views and opinions of reporters, news editors, etc. But the information in police reports would be mostly true and realistic.
5. Can you think of examples of surveys in your world today? Think about how toy companies get information about what young people enjoy playing with or how the government finds out about the number of young people in school. What can a historian derive from such surveys?
Answer: Companies or government conduct surveys for getting information useful to them.
Examples of various surveys: Surveys on sports, social issues, public interests, employment, etc.
Historians may get information about preferences, public opinions, lifestyle, political, social, and economic life, etc.