Sequencing history: How chronology and periodisation shape our understanding

1. Chronology

Meaning: Arrangement of historical events in the order of their occurrence (timeline)

Focus: Sequence of “when” events happened

Purpose: Helps establish cause-effect relationships and trace continuity

Nature: Objective, factual, based on dates and events

Example: Battle of Plassey (1757) → Battle of Buxar (1764) → Regulating Act (1773)

Chronology tells us the succession of events that led to British consolidation in India.

2. Periodisation

Meaning: Division of history into segments/periods based on certain themes or criteria.

Focus: “How” we interpret and categorise historical time.

Purpose: Helps us understand changes and continuities by grouping events into broader phases.

Nature: Interpretative, analytical, often subjective.

Example: James Mill’s Hindu-Muslim-British periodisation (criticised as Eurocentric and communal)

Marxist periodisation: Ancient (communal), Medieval (feudal), Modern (capitalist/colonial)

NCERT/Modern historiography uses: Ancient, Medieval, Colonial, Post-colonial India.

Key differences table

From civil services exam point of view

Direct questions (GS Mains/Optional)

1. “Chronology is the backbone of history, while periodisation is its skeleton.” Discuss with reference to Indian historiography.
2. Critically examine James Mill’s periodisation of Indian history and its impact on colonial understanding.
3. Why is chronology important in reconstructing ancient Indian history? Illustrate with examples.

Short Answer / Prelims-style

Define “Chronology” and “Periodisation” with one example each.

Which historian gave the Hindu-Muslim-British periodisation? Why is it problematic?

Chronology is objective but periodisation is subjective. Comment.

Civil Services tip:

• In answers, always link to historiography (colonial, nationalist, Marxist, subaltern)
• For GS-1, show how periodisation influences our understanding (e.g., calling 18th century “dark age” vs “century of transition”)
• For History optional, back answers with examples from Indian history and names of historians (James Mill, R.C. Majumdar, Irfan Habib, Romila Thapar)