12 History Colonialism And The Country Side Exploring Official Archives Impq 1
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COLONIALISM AND THE COUNTRYSIDE
Exploring Official Archives
Q. 01.
What are the problems of using official sources in wirting about the history of peasants.
Anns.
Following are the problems in using official sources in working about the history of peasants :
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
There are official sources and reflect only British official concerns and interpretation of all events from the outlook and angles of the English. For example, the Deccan riots commission was specifically asked to judge whether the level of
Government revenue demand of the cause of the revolt. Most of the events, revolts and happening have been presented in a biosed manner. The colonial
Government and official had their own political, economic, religious, cultural and social interest. The had always tried to present picture of Indian
Society people tradition culture and even the achievements. The sources have been presented and recorded by such clever and naughty people who have intentially presented things with falls evidences also.
For example, the Deccan Riot Commission alter presenting all the findings with such evidences which was utilize to give authencity to the report of the commission. The commission has presented this fabricated fact the Government demand was not the cause the peasants angles. It was the
71
(iv)
moneylenders (again Indian) who were to blames such argument is found very frequently in British colonial records. This shows that there was a persistent on the part of the colonial government to admit that popular discontent was ever on account of Government action.
Official reports, thus are invaluable sources for the reconstruction of history. But they have to be always read the case and just opposed with evidence called from newspapers, unofficial accounts, legal records and, where possible, oral sources. Q. 02.
What steps taken by the British East India Company to control the Zamindars ?
Anns.
The
COLONIALISM AND THE COUNTRYSIDE
Exploring Official Archives
Q. 01.
What are the problems of using official sources in wirting about the history of peasants.
Anns.
Following are the problems in using official sources in working about the history of peasants :
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
There are official sources and reflect only British official concerns and interpretation of all events from the outlook and angles of the English. For example, the Deccan riots commission was specifically asked to judge whether the level of
Government revenue demand of the cause of the revolt. Most of the events, revolts and happening have been presented in a biosed manner. The colonial
Government and official had their own political, economic, religious, cultural and social interest. The had always tried to present picture of Indian
Society people tradition culture and even the achievements. The sources have been presented and recorded by such clever and naughty people who have intentially presented things with falls evidences also.
For example, the Deccan Riot Commission alter presenting all the findings with such evidences which was utilize to give authencity to the report of the commission. The commission has presented this fabricated fact the Government demand was not the cause the peasants angles. It was the
71
(iv)
moneylenders (again Indian) who were to blames such argument is found very frequently in British colonial records. This shows that there was a persistent on the part of the colonial government to admit that popular discontent was ever on account of Government action.
Official reports, thus are invaluable sources for the reconstruction of history. But they have to be always read the case and just opposed with evidence called from newspapers, unofficial accounts, legal records and, where possible, oral sources. Q. 02.
What steps taken by the British East India Company to control the Zamindars ?
Anns.
The