NCERT 8th Class (CBSE) Social Science: The Modern Period

Question: What is colonial? Explain briefly.

Answer: That period of history of a country is called colonial (period or rule) during which period a country remains a colony of an imperial power. For e.g. – generally the period of the Indian history from 1757 to 1947 is called a colonial period of the Indian history.

Question: Why do you think that it is incorrect to fix precise dates to processes that happen over a period of time?

Answer: Time does not have to be always precisely dated in terms of a particular year or a month. Sometimes it is actually incorrect to fix precise dates to processes that happen over a period of time. People in India did not begin drinking tea one fine day, they developed a taste for it over time. There can be one clear date for a process such as this.

Question: “Instead of fixing a date, it is more correct only refer to a span of time?” Do you agree? If yes, briefly mention.

Answer: We cannot fix one single date on which British rule was established or the national movement started or changes took place within the economy and society. All these things happened over a stretch of time. We can only refer to a span of time, an approximate period over which particular changes become visible.

Question: What is the history? How has the study of history evolved over time?

Answer: History is the study of changing patterns in society. Over time, history has developed and evolved. Once it revolved around the life of powerful people (personality-based). But, how it mainly deals with lives of conman people their ideas and thoughts – Also, it helps us know how societies and economies change with time.

Question: List the defining features of the modern era. Why do Indian historians not want to call the British rule in India a ‘modern’ period?

Answer: Some of the defining features of the modern era are scientific progress. Industrialization colonization and urbanization or growth of cities. The British treated India as a colony. They took away raw materials from India and using that material made finished goods in their country. This made India a important of “British”  and treated our industrialization process. This period is called colonial a not modern.

Question: Write a modern Time in history.

Answer:

1. Span of time is more important in history rather than a precise date.
2. History that was taught a few decades ago was all political history.
3. It is easier to define dates for events in political history.
4. For eg.-we know the sequence of events, year-wise, of the Revolt of 1857.
5. However, for social, economic and cultural history, specific dates cannot be assigned.

Question: What is the ‘modern’ period associated with?

Answer: The modern period in India is associated with the establishment of British colonial rule and the fight we put up against it. It also cover socio-cultural change that came about in India under the influence of the British.